Newlyweds honeymoon cut short by departure for Kosovo
Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of stories about how family members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard unit out of Waynesburg are coping with their loved ones being deployed overseas during the holidays.When Marke and Jennifer Walawander initially made arrangements to fly to Guam in February to visit her mother, Navy Lt. Lisa Braun, they had no intentions of making it anymore than a reunion for the family. However, as they were preparing for the trip, Marke Walawander received notification that the Waynesburg 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry unit was being activated for a NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
“We were not planning a wedding date (at that time),” said Jennifer Walawander.
But as the time drew nearer for their departure, the couple decided that the northern Pacific island would also serve as a site for a wedding ceremony.
As it turned out, the couple was married twice during their stay.
“Since we were going to be in Guam on Valentine’s Day, we figured that it would be the perfect time and place to exchange our wedding vows,” said Jennifer Walawander. “And it was.”
Their first ceremony was held at Two Lovers Point, a high cliff overlooking the ocean.
The second wedding celebration was slated to take place in the ocean.
“My mother had the bright idea to get us scuba lessons so that we could exchange vows underwater,” said Jennifer Walawander. “She made the arrangements that included chartering a boat.
“She just didn’t plan that I would be terrified to breathe underwater. I ended up quitting on the first day of lessons, once we had to put all of our gear on and go underwater in a swimming pool.”
After Marke Walawander completed the sessions, the two boarded the boat and above the spot they were going to hold the second ceremony, they again became husband and wife.
Their time together as a newlywed couple, however, was brief. Shortly after their return, Marke Walawander left for Kosovo with his unit.
The deployment not only cut short their honeymoon, but also meant the two would not celebrate their first Christmas or their first anniversary together.
“It’s going to be very difficult to enjoy Christmas without Marke here,” said Jennifer Walawander. “Fortunately, we are able to talk on the phone or on the computer almost every day.
“I’m very grateful for this contact, but it is still very hard to be without my beautiful husband, especially so soon after our marriage.”
In the interim, Jennifer Walawander is keeping a very busy schedule. In addition to working part-time at a family owned copy and design center, she is also a substitute teacher for the Central Greene School District.
Her family and her husband’s family have been sources of comfort.
“All of Marke’s family have been a tremendous support throughout his deployment,” she said. “I am very thankful that he has such a wonderful family that has treated me with love and kindness.”
She is also in the process of planning a third wedding that will take place in June.
“Since the majority of our friends and family did not have the opportunity to attend our first wedding, we’re going to have a vow renewal in Waynesburg,” said Jennifer Walawander.
His return, she said, cannot be too soon.
“The light at the end of the tunnel is near,” she said.