Odessa, FL (April 6, 2016)– Thousands tuned in to watch combat wounded veteran Timothy Read and his fiancée Anh Du say ‘I Do’ on Sunday thanks to Old McMicky’s Farm’s ‘Mission I Do’ initiative. ‘Mission I Do’ is a wedding contest and give-a-away hosted by Old McMickys Farm in Odessa Florida. In its 3rd ‘Mission I Do’ installment, the Farm received dozens of entries from deserving Tampa based military couples and narrowed the entries to 4 worthy duos. In November, voting was opened to the public online and over 65,000 votes were received.
Although Timothy and Anh did not win the grand prize, they did receive a free wedding from the farm. In addition to the location and event staff, Farm owner Ralph Zuckerman wanted to make the event distinctive by arranging a few very special additions. First, he arranged a bachelor party Honor Ride with the help of the South Tampa Business Alliance. Businesses and patrons showed their support for the wounded veteran groom and his fellow soldier bachelor party participants by holding signs and cheering the party as they pass. Next, the farm organized for a full sword arch ceremony and an active duty Senior Marine Corp Officer to address the combat wounded groom and the groomsman during the ceremony. Finally, to make sure that the groom and and his Marine brethren stationed worldwide could share this special event, Zuckerman arranged to have the wedding streamed live so the groom and groomsmen’s fellow soldiers still serving oversees could watch the ceremony.
“It is a privilege to honor the military and the men and women who have given so much for this country. We wanted to show our appreciation for their service by streaming the wedding live so their friends and family and others in the military could share in their experience.” says Old McMickys Farm owner Ralph Zuckermn. It is my firm belief that everyone who serves in our military is helping to keep our families safe, so we thought one way to show our appreciation is to help them to start families of their own.”
The fanfare is not unwarranted as Timothy and his groomsmen are true heroes. Timothy served two tours in Afghanistan in the 26 Gulf Company, 2nd Battalion 6th Marines. During his second tour in 2010, Timothy was shot in the leg but did not leave his company; he stayed and returned to his combat duties. Later that year, he stepped on an IED and loss that same leg. From that explosion Timothy also incurred severe damage to his other leg and a traumatic brain injury. All of Tim’s groomsmen were also wounded in combat suffering extensive injuries. His best man lost his leg below the knee, one groomsman is a double amputee loosing both legs, and his other groomsman was shot in the neck.
Media Information: Please see video and Honor Ride Here.
Photos attached
About Old McMicky’s Farm: Old McMicky’s Farm, located on the Historic grounds of Camp Keystone (Established in 1946), is part of a cherished 70 year-old Tampa Bay tradition. The Children’s Educational Farm is dedicated to providing fun, educational and hands-on guided tours to groups, the general public and kids birthday parties. This unique farm is nestled on a beautiful 40-acre lake and is both rustic and elegant. The Farm also hosts special events such as Barn Weddings, Company Picnics, Corporate Events, Charity Events, and Private Parties to support their educational programming and community giving. Everyone at the Farm is dedicated to continuing this wonderful tradition for kids and families in our Tampa Bay community.
OMF is dedicated to giving back to the community in many ways. The Farm’s “1000 Kids” Program’s goal is to host 1,000 kids a year in the Tampa Bay area who are facing serious challenges for an awesome, educational and fun day at the Farm, at No Charge. The Farm was honored to host 1276 kids in 2014 under the “1000 Kids” program in its introductory year, and in 2015 the farm welcomed and additional 1036 kids facing challenges for a great day under the program.
The Farm’s ‘Mission I Do’ program provides Free, All-Inclusive Dream Weddings to Veteran’s and is now open to all active military in the Tampa Bay area. The fourth free “Mission I Do” wedding is coming up in April 2016. The 4th FREE ‘Mission I Do’ Wedding just occurred at the Farm on April 3, 2016.
The Old McMicky’s Farm Child Adoption Education Day brings more prospective adoptive parents in to the process to find more families for our local children in foster care. Over 450 people came out to the event to learn more about adoption, making it one of the largest child adoption education events in the nation. For more information about the Children Adoption Education Day go to: http://www.oldmcmickys.com/child-adoption-education-day/
More information about the farms community giving programs can be found at
http://www.oldmcmickys.com/community-giving/. To learn more about Old McMicky’s Farm please visit http://www.OldMcMickys.com or call 813-920-1948. Follow us on FB at: www.facebook.com/OldMcMickysFarm.
Old McMicky’s Farm – Our Mission
To Continue the Tradition of Fun, Education and Creating Great Memories for Kids and Families in the Tampa Bay Area, and to Give Back to our Community.
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