America Supports You: Soldier Proposes During Bowl Game Halftime

America Supports You ^ | Jan 2, 2005 | Kathleen T. Rhem

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2006 – Faith Jarvis, of Winston-Salem, N.C., traveled to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, in Tempe, Ariz., to try to do her bit to support the United Service Organizations, a charity that has supported America's servicemembers for generations.

She did help the USO, but Jarvis left with her own prize -- a diamond ring and a surprise reunion with her boyfriend-turned-fiancé, Army 1st Lt. Raymond Vera, a California National Guardsman with the 49th Military Police Brigade who has been serving in Iraq.

Jarvis attempted to throw a football through a target 15 yards away. If she made it, Tostitos would donate $100,000 to the USO. Then, a company representative told her, she would be able to speak to Vera via a satellite link. Her throw had the distance but was wide right. Tostitos still donated $25,000 to the USO.

Then Vera trotted out in a desert camouflage uniform and the two shared a tearful hug before Vera dropped to one knee.

"Faith, I love you with all my heart, and I want to ask you if you'll marry me," he said.

Jarvis was so overwhelmed, she could barely choke out, "Of course."

The surprise reunion and proposal was arranged through the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which works to highlight things corporations and private citizens do to support America's servicemembers. Many events to support the troops centered on the Fiesta Bowl.

A pre-game ceremony honored veterans who are students and graduates of the University of Notre Dame and Ohio State University, the two teams going head to head in the match-up.

Fans were treated to an F-16 flyover and a parachute arrival by the U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue demonstration team. They also saw a large American flag stretched across the field while U.S. Military Academy Cadet Glee Club, from West Point, N.Y., performed the National Anthem.

A few days earlier, on Dec. 31, volunteers from America Supports You and local school children joined members of "Packages From Home," a Glendale, Ariz., organization that provides care packages for military members, in a military tribute segment of the 2005 Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade, presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

[SandRat]

Army 1st Lt. Raymond Vera, a California National Guardsman with the 49th Military Police Brigade who has been serving in Iraq, embraces Faith Jarvis of Winston-Salem, N.C., at halftime of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl football game at Tempe, Ariz., Jan. 2. The surprise reunion - which included Vera proposing to Jarvis -- was orchestrated by the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program. DoD photo

Army 1st Lt. Raymond Vera, a California National Guardsman with the 49th Military Police Brigade who has been serving in Iraq, shows an engagement ring to Faith Jarvis of Winston-Salem, N.C., just after she accepted his marriage proposal during a surprise reunion at halftime of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl football game at Tempe, Ariz., Jan. 2. The event was orchestrated by the Defense Department's "America Supports You" program. DoD photo

[SandRat]

For the Romantics in case you need it

PHOTOS: Fiesta Bowl

[Pukin Dog]

Oooooooh, its just sooo beautiful....(sniff)

[colorado tanker]

That was a really sweet moment.

[MarineBrat]

Wow! You done good, Soldier! You're both in my prayers!

[rudy45]

Yes it is, as long as the response is what is expected.

[freedumb2003]

Wasn't there a real case a few months ago where the girl said no oon camera?

[apackof2]

"Faith, I love you with all my heart, and I want to ask you if you'll marry me," he said.

Thanks for the Kleenex and GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

[rudy45]

I didn't see it, but heard about something like that. Wasn't it a basketball game? And, later wasn't it determined that the whole thing (proposal AND refusal) was staged?

[Dog]

Get a hankie..

[rudy45]

"Faith, I love you with all my heart, and I want to ask you if you'll marry me"

The cynic in me:

"Sure, you can ask."

[apackof2]

Stop that!

[Pukin Dog]

Yeah right.

That boy was safer in Iraq.

[tongue-tied]

LMAO...he'd surely have more money over there than he will now, back home.

[FortWorthPatriot]

Makes one wonder...

Is he a braver man for:

(a) going into harm's way in Iraq, or

(b) proposing to his girlfriend in the middle of a bowl game on national television while not having a clue as to whether or not she would accept?

[Coop]

I saw it live, but thanks for the ping! :-) And a happy new year to you and yours!

[CedarDave]

LOL. New keyboard needed!

[mikeybaby]

My best to the newly engaged couple.
Brilliant, simply brilliant from a PR perspective.
I'm sure there are thousands of similar (and better) stories that we never hear about.
I think the Bush Admin is slowly figuring out how to penetrate the fog and dis-information put forth by the MSM.
This Admin may be slow, but when they finally get with the program, I'll admit they are d*mn effective.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[CFaithJarvis]

http://www.rayandfaith.com/LTVERA that is his website. I hope everyone is well. He did not have to be to brave to propose to me, because he knows I love him so much. :-)