Navy Pilot From Long Island, Fiancée Chosen To Receive Wedding Of Their Dreams

GREENPORT, NY — A young man who has made Southold proud and his bride-to-be got the surprise of their lives Monday morning when they learned they were the winners of Peconic Landing's 7th Annual Veterans Day Wedding Giveback.

U.S. Navy Lt. Jr. Grade John Dunne, a Southold native, 25, and U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter pilot stationed in Norfolk, Va., is a graduate of Southold High School and SUNY/Maritime College. His fiancée Katie Anthony, 27, of Cantonment, Fla., works for the Navy Federal Credit Union at their corporate operations center.

The couple currently lives in Norfolk with Katie’s 4-year-old son Maddox.

The pair thought they were just being interviewed via a live feed for the contest Monday when suddenly, they were told there was a technical glitch but instead, Peconic Landing staffers, as well as community members, rushed in with balloons to announce they were the winners.

Dunne's parents Ed and Donna — Donna is a teacher at Oysterponds Elementary School —were also present for the exciting news.

Dunne committed to 10-years of Navy service, but plans on making it his career; he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

Growing up in Southold, Dunne earned his Eagle Scout rank; he coordinated an implemented a restoration of the sand dunes at McCabe’s Beach in Southold, planting 4,000 beach grass plugs. In addition, he was a member of the Southold NJROTC. He applied for an received a four-year Navy scholarship to SUNY Maritime College where he went on to become battalion commander of the college’s NROTC Unit.

During what she thought was just an interview, Anthony, who has a degree in psychology, when asked how she felt about the life of a military wife, answered a heartfelt reply.

"When I was growing up, I said, 'I am not going to marry a military man,'" she said. "When I met John, all that disappeared and I thought, 'I want to go wherever this man goes, because I love him."

She'd eventually like to work with veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, she 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.

Valerie Tirelli-Hallock, Brecknock Hall events coordinator, oversees the sponsorship and application process as well as coordination of vendors and event.

This year’s committee includes Ted Webb, chairman of the Brecknock Hall Foundation, as well as Peconic Landing members Stanley and Vivian Noble, Jan Harting-McChesney, and Denis and Patricia Bischoff.

Peconic Landing received eight applications from candidates, narrowing it down to the top three and eventually a winner throughout the interview process.

The wedding will take place on Sunday, November 12, in celebration of Veteran’s Day, and will accommodate up to 80 guests.

After learning they'd won, the couple hugged happily.

"It's incredible," Dunne said. "We've been hoping and praying we were going to win."

Anthony agreed, "This is a blessing. I've been hoping for it for so long."

The couple has been dating for a year and a half and have been engaged since New Year's Day.

Donna Dunne said it's a joy to know her son will have his wedding of a lifetime so close to home. We couldn't ask for anything more, having it here in such a beautiful spot," she said.

Her husband Ed said the ceremony will be especially moving, with the military swords and NJROTC, such an important part of his son's journey. He added that his son serves as an example for all the other young NJROTC students, who can see his new career as a pilot emerge and learn that through hard work, anything is possible.

"This is a special event to be a part of. We are honored to help provide John and Katie with their dream day, and wish them a future of happiness together," said Robert J. Syron, President and CEO of Peconic Landing. "Peconic Landing would like to thank all of the event sponsors who dedicate their efforts to this worthwhile cause. This giveback would not be possible without your support."

List of sponsors so far:

Allison G. Pressler Professional Skin Care

Anchor & Lace Photography

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

Jill Doherty, Councilwoman

Kim Jon Designs

Lieb Vineyards

Macari Vineyards

Make Some Noise DJ's

Moments In Time Floral Design

Moriches Main Street Flowers

North Fork Bridal Shoppe

Times Review Media Group

Southold-Mattituck-Greenport ROTC

Lead photo, video, by Lisa Finn. Photo of the couple in article courtesy of Peconic Landing.