Lucky Military Couple Wins Dream North Fork Wedding

GREENPORT, NY — One lucky military couple has won a free wedding of their dreams, to be held at Peconic Landing's Brecknock Hall.

U.S. Air Force Reservist Kyle Stephen Holmes, 35, of Sunrise, FL and his fiancée, U.S. Air Force Captain Kaitlin Daddona, 26, of Southold have been named this year's winning couple in the 9th Annual Veterans Day Wedding Giveback.

The community project provides one lucky service couple with the wedding of their dreams at no cost, thanks to local businesses and area volunteers.

The contest began in 2011 as an opportunity to thank Long Island's military personnel and recognize them for their service to our country, Peconic Landing said.

The winning couple will be provided with a free fairy tale wedding set to take place on
Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019 in celebration of Veterans Day; the celebration will accommodate up to 82
guests.

"Announcing the winners of this giveback is a highlight event for our veteran members and for the entire community. Every year we are more and more impressed with the applications we receive from individuals serving our country near and far," said Robert J. Syron, president and CEO of Peconic Landing. "We want to thank all of our business partners who help make this giveback possible. It is an incredible community project, and many of them donate their services year after year."

The winning couple was chosen by a panel of Peconic Landing members with military ties, who judge the contest based on the number of years served, special military honors and each individual couple's personal love story.

An estimated $60,000 worth of services and in-kind donations are contributed each year.

Kyle has served seven years of active duty and is currently continuing his service in the Air Force Reserve as an air transportation specialist at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL. He has received an Air Force Achievement Medal, a Meritorious Unit Award with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, an Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, among many other medals and ribbons.

Kaitlin has served five years and is currently an instructor and director of training at the Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL. Kaitlin is also a 2015 Defense Information School Distinguished Graduate, a 2016 Company Grade Officer of the Quarter, and most recently the 2019 Southold NJROTC Military Ball Guest of Honor, among many other accolades.

The couple intends on making their careers in the military and has spent their time volunteering with the Honolulu Humane Society as well as the Historic Houlka Homecoming and others. Kaitlin has volunteered on base with Books on Bases Book Drive and locally to the North Fork as Judge of Southold’s NJROTC Drill Competition.

Kyle and Kaitlin got engaged in May, 2018 when the two were on assignment at different bases: Kyle in Hawaii and Kaitlin in Alabama. Kyle proposed on the last night during a trip visiting Kaitlin with his daughter, Kylie. He did this to create their memorable proposal together as a family, according to Peconic Landing.