Happy Couple Says 'I Do' At 8th Annual Vets Day Wedding Giveback

GREENPORT, NY — A military couple who dedicates their lives giving back to the nation was given the dream nuptials of a lifetime at the 8th Annual Veterans Day Wedding Giveback, presented by Peconic Landing at Brecknock Hall.

On Sunday, Nov. 11, U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Trenton Todd Zanow, 27, of Batavia, married U.S. Air Force Airfield Management Operations Supervisor Jennifer Lynn Lenzi, 23, of Ridge, in honor of Veterans Day.

Both are active service members who met while serving at the 106th Rescue Wing at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach; the couple currently serves full time at the 103rd Airlift Wing, a unit of the Connecticut Air National Guard.

The couple was told that they'd won during a surprise reveal in May.

Peconic Landing and Brecknock Hall said in a release that they'd like to thank the 30 businesses and volunteers who joined together to make the couple’s dream day a reality.

Trenton has served for 10 years and is currently an E6 flight engineer; he has received a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and National Defense Service Medal, among other medals and ribbons, Peconic Landing said.

Jennifer has served for five years and is currently an E5 airfield manager, and was recently named "Airman of the Year" for the Connecticut Air National Guard 103rd Operations Group. She has also received an Air Force Commendation Medal in support of her service during Operation Enduring Freedom, among multiple other medals and ribbons, the release said.

The couple intends on making a 30-year career in the military and also spends time volunteering in their local community, including making care packages for members’ overseas and donating Thanksgiving dinners to wounded veterans, among others. Jennifer has also helped coach a youth cheerleading team.

Trenton and Jennifer were engaged on Veterans Day weekend, 2017 while taking a helicopter tour in Rhode Island to celebrate Jennifer's recent promotion to staff sergeant. The two landed in a field at sunset where Trenton proposed.

“We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Peconic Landing, Brecknock Hall and all of the vendors that made our dream wedding a reality," Jennifer said in May. "Without them our special day would not have been possible. We are forever grateful not only for the beautiful wedding they generously put together but also for the opportunity we were afforded to bring our family and friends together. It was a truly wonderful feeling to have all the people we love and care about in the same place. We will cherish those memories for the rest of our lives and we can’t possibly say thank you enough to those who made that blessing in our lives possible.”

The happy couple added: "The entire day was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Each and every vendor went above and beyond anything we could have imagined. We are so incredibly thankful for their generosity and support to military members.”

The couple presented Peconic Landing with a flag and plaque; the flag dedication included Trenton and Jennifer along with Denis and Patricia Bischoff, members of the Giveback Committee, who also performed the ceremony.

Sponsored by Peconic Landing, the annual Veterans Day Wedding Giveback began in 2011 as an opportunity to thank military personnel and recognize them for their service in honor of Veterans Day.

Vendors and volunteers who contributed to the 7th Annual Veterans Day Wedding Giveback includeA Flippin' Good Time, Allison G Pressler at Blue Sage Day Spa, American Tent Company, Beautiful by Dina, Blue Duck Bakery, Christopher Michael Catering, East End Events Catering, Fire Monkey Hair Design, Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.,Greenporter Hotel, Ivy League Flowers & Gifts, Jillybean Custom Designs, Kim Jon Designs, Laura Tandy; Independent Consultant for Paparazzi, Lieb Cellars, Lisa Nicolosi Photography, Macari Vineyards, Madison Grey Media, Make Some Noise DJ's, Massage Me, by Sara Leonard LMT, Mattituck Environmental Services, Moments In Time Floral Design, Moriches Main Street Flowers, North Fork Bridal Shoppe, Southold Fish Market, Southold IGA, The Crushed Olive, Times Media Group, Southold-Mattituck-Greenport ROTC and Wickham’s Fruit Farm.

Robert Syron, president and CEO of Peconic Landing, reflected on the day.

“This special event is a stunning illustration of community. The Veteran’s Wedding
Giveback annually supports those who dedicate their lives to serving others. In return
we show our gratitude and appreciation by hosting their marriage and wishing them a
lifetime of happiness, from the family at Peconic Landing and the many local sponsors
and business partners who support in making this opportunity to giveback possible," he said.

The winning couple was chosen by a panel of Peconic Landing members with military ties, who judged the contest based on the number of years served, special military honors, and each individual couple’s personal love story. In 2018, Peconic Landing received nine applications from highly qualified candidates.

Patch photos courtesy Peconic Landing.