- Reaction score
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http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2006/06/25/1652298-sun.html
Big guns on tap for wedding
Couple's first date was in tank simulator
Brookes Merritt, Edmonton Sun, 25 Jun 06
''Cpl. Richard McLaughlin stood sweating in the heat of a quaint military chapel at Edmonton Garrison yesterday, waiting to tell his fiancee, Tannas Eriksen, "I do."
Moments earlier, the jittery Lord Strathcona's Horse soldier had spilled metal polish all over his uniform while buffing his medals.
At least, he thought, nothing else can go wrong. Then he heard whispers coming from the front pews.
The maid of honour, Eriksen's sister Tamara, had forgotten the groom's ring in the trunk of her car.
Close friend Pat Malcom calmly walked past the packed pews and broke into a mad sprint once outside the chapel.
Weaving through the two Leopard tanks stationed outside the doors, Malcom hopped in his truck and peeled rubber, retrieving the ring mere seconds before Eriksen was to place it on McLaughlin's finger.
"Years from now it'll be a good story. Today was spectacular - despite the (polish) incident," said McLaughlin, hugging his new wife and looking upon the tanks with pride.
Lord Strathcona's Horse officials granted McLaughlin's request to use military vehicles at his wedding, in honour of his 18 years in uniform and tours of duty in Cyprus and Bosnia.
It was the first time such a request has been granted at the base in recent memory.
The wedding party arrived at the chapel like a troop of eager grunts - squinting as they piled out into the sunlight from the back of an armoured personnel carrier.
The Leopards - still in active use - greeted them at the chapel, their treads tearing up the asphalt as they swivelled into the tiny parking lot.
"I wouldn't want to ride too far in that thing," father-of-the-bride Larry Eriksen said of the personnel carrier.
"Dressed for a wedding, it gets hot and uncomfortable pretty quick."
Tannas Eriksen - a trained massage therapist from Villeneuve - admitted few brides would choose to hear the chatter of tank treads over the peals of a chapel bell.
"But I loved it. It was a great idea," the beaming bride said.
"Our first date was in a tank simulator. This was very fitting."
McLaughlin said he figures his love of military life has rubbed off on his bride over the four years they've already shared together.
"I have a deep pride for the service, and I'm so glad it's become part of my new life with Tannas," he said, adding the couple hope to start a family soon.
They first moved in together in September 2003, the same time the infamous B.C. wildfires sparked. McLaughlin's unit was deployed immediately to help the firefighters.
"She moved us into our apartment without me... The military has played a very prominent role in our lives since we met, and she's been wonderful about embracing it."
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2006/06/25/1652298-sun.html
Big guns on tap for wedding
Couple's first date was in tank simulator
Brookes Merritt, Edmonton Sun, 25 Jun 06
''Cpl. Richard McLaughlin stood sweating in the heat of a quaint military chapel at Edmonton Garrison yesterday, waiting to tell his fiancee, Tannas Eriksen, "I do."
Moments earlier, the jittery Lord Strathcona's Horse soldier had spilled metal polish all over his uniform while buffing his medals.
At least, he thought, nothing else can go wrong. Then he heard whispers coming from the front pews.
The maid of honour, Eriksen's sister Tamara, had forgotten the groom's ring in the trunk of her car.
Close friend Pat Malcom calmly walked past the packed pews and broke into a mad sprint once outside the chapel.
Weaving through the two Leopard tanks stationed outside the doors, Malcom hopped in his truck and peeled rubber, retrieving the ring mere seconds before Eriksen was to place it on McLaughlin's finger.
"Years from now it'll be a good story. Today was spectacular - despite the (polish) incident," said McLaughlin, hugging his new wife and looking upon the tanks with pride.
Lord Strathcona's Horse officials granted McLaughlin's request to use military vehicles at his wedding, in honour of his 18 years in uniform and tours of duty in Cyprus and Bosnia.
It was the first time such a request has been granted at the base in recent memory.
The wedding party arrived at the chapel like a troop of eager grunts - squinting as they piled out into the sunlight from the back of an armoured personnel carrier.
The Leopards - still in active use - greeted them at the chapel, their treads tearing up the asphalt as they swivelled into the tiny parking lot.
"I wouldn't want to ride too far in that thing," father-of-the-bride Larry Eriksen said of the personnel carrier.
"Dressed for a wedding, it gets hot and uncomfortable pretty quick."
Tannas Eriksen - a trained massage therapist from Villeneuve - admitted few brides would choose to hear the chatter of tank treads over the peals of a chapel bell.
"But I loved it. It was a great idea," the beaming bride said.
"Our first date was in a tank simulator. This was very fitting."
McLaughlin said he figures his love of military life has rubbed off on his bride over the four years they've already shared together.
"I have a deep pride for the service, and I'm so glad it's become part of my new life with Tannas," he said, adding the couple hope to start a family soon.
They first moved in together in September 2003, the same time the infamous B.C. wildfires sparked. McLaughlin's unit was deployed immediately to help the firefighters.
"She moved us into our apartment without me... The military has played a very prominent role in our lives since we met, and she's been wonderful about embracing it."
