Vets Day Wedding Giveback 'Perfect Beginning To Our Lives'

GREENPORT, NY — A young man who has made Southold proud and his bride, winners of Peconic Landing's 7th Annual Veterans Day Wedding Giveback, had a magical day that will live forever in their hearts and memories.

U.S. Navy Lt. junior grade John Dunne, 25, married Katie Anthony, 28, on the steps of Brecknock Hall, on Sunday, Nov. 12 in honor of Veterans Day. Dunne, originally of Southold, is currently serving as a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter pilot stationed in Norfolk, VA. The couple was notified during a surprise reveal in April.

The pair thought they were just being interviewed via a live feed for the contest 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.

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 two years and had been engaged since New Year's Day.

Donna Dunne said it was meaningful that her son was married 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 was 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.

Peconic Landing and Brecknock Hall reached out to thank the 30 businesses and volunteers who joined together to make the couple’s dream day a reality.

“We are so incredibly blessed to have been given this opportunity. It was a beautiful, elegant, and picture perfect wedding. The generosity and compassion of every single vendor and volunteer are unparalleled, and we cannot ever thank them enough. The wedding exceeded our wildest dreams and was truly an incredible experience. Thank you so much for giving Katie and me the perfect wedding and memories that we will cherish for a lifetime,” Dunne said.

“Watching the love of my life walking down the aisle to me, looking so incredibly beautiful, smiling at me in a way that I have never seen before," he added. "I have never felt a moment in my life more powerful and wonderful than that. It is a moment and a feeling that I will never forget.”

“The day meant so many things to me. The start of a family, a celebration of love, and the act of appreciation for my husband's service to our country. It was the perfect beginning to our lives together,” the new bride said. “I want to say 'thank you.' Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without all of you, my fairy tale wedding would not have been possible. The kindness you all have shown us is overwhelming and amazing.”

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. Now in its seventh year, it's evolved into a community affair, made possible through sponsorship and contributions from local businesses and organizations.

“The Veterans Day Wedding Giveback is a perfect example of the community coming together to serve others. On behalf of Peconic Landing and all of the sponsors we wish John and Kate a lifetime of love and happiness moving forward,” said Robert J. Syron, president and CEO of Peconic Landing. “I would also like to thank the sponsors and business partners for their support making this unique giveback possible.”

Vendors and volunteers who contributed to the 7th Annual Veterans Day Wedding Giveback include: Allison G. Pressler Professional Skin Care, American Tent, Anchor & Lace Photography, Blue Duck Bakery, Christine Henry, Christopher Michael Catering, Duckwalk Vineyards, East End Events Catering, Fire Monkey Hair Design, Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, Greenporter Hotel, I Doll You Up ~ Stacey Peterson, Ivy League Flowers & Gifts, Southold Town Councilwoman Jill Doherty, Kate Whitcomb Shoes, Kim Jon Designs, Lieb Cellars, Macari Vineyards, Major William Grigonis, DJ Phil ~ Make Some Noise DJ's, Mattituck Environmental Services, Moments in Time Floral Design, Moriches Main Street Flowers, North Fork Bridal Shoppe, North Fork Chocolate Company, Pellegrini Vineyards, Photobooth Creative, Southold Fish Market, Southold-Mattituck-Greenport ROTC, and The Suffolk Times–Times/Review Media Group.

The winning couple was chosen by the 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, a release said. Valerie Tirelli Hallock, Brecknock Hall Sales & Events Coordinator, oversees the sponsorship and application process as well as coordination of vendors and the event.

This year’s member committee included 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. In 2017, Peconic Landing received eight applications.

“A picture perfect bride brought tears to the groom as he waited to begin their life as man and wife under the shelter of Brecknock Hall’s front porch,” McChesney said. “The festivities continued for several hours as the guests enjoyed an atmosphere of local hospitality. Delicious food, lively music, and a breathtaking wedding cake were enjoyed by all in attendance. Well done, Long Island.”

Photos by Anchor & Lace Photography.