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Office of Public Affairs | |
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| Press Release |
Date: September 19, 2006 |
LONG DISTANCE LOVE CONNECTION SUNNYSIDE COAST GUARDSMAN MARRIES FROM BAHRAIN | |
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Photo and Story By Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Allyson Conroy BAHRAIN - Two weeks into his year-long tour in Bahrain, Seaman Michael Christensen of Sunnyside, Wash., found out his family was growing. Christensen's fiancée, Jennifer Rivard, had discovered she was pregnant with his child, and the couple decided they could no longer wait to be married. Before that could happen, they would need to convince the state of Washington to let them marry half a world apart. Christensen is a part of the deck force department of Coast Guard Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFOR SWA) in Bahrain. It is his department's mission to keep the six patrol boats here maintained and mission ready. A mission the seaman says he takes very seriously. "To help Michael succeed at his mission here, it is important that he has his mind at ease knowing that his family is going to be taken care of," said Chief Boatswains Mate Arturo Howard, organic training and certification team supervisor for PATFOR SWA. Howard worked closely with the command of PATFOR SWA and the chaplain's office of the Navy Support Activities base to get Christensen's marriage underway, and his family taken care of. Christensen was offered the opportunity to go home, but said it was very expensive. The couple also talked about marrying while he was home during his six-month mark, but everyone agreed his bride and child should receive the medical attention they would need before Jennifer came to term. The only alternative was a marriage by proxy. By definition, a proxy marriage is one where someone stands in for a missing party. If the bride or groom cannot be at the ceremony for unforeseen reasons, they can designate someone to stand in for them. These types of marriage are rare, legal in only four states, and usually a sign of the times during war or conflict. The State of Washington does not recognize marriage by proxy but, on the evening of August 8, the state made one exception for Christensen and his new bride. The ceremony took place via an internet connection with a webcam and a cellular phone being the only way for the couple to see and hear one another. The bride was surrounded by her family in Sunnyside, Wash., and Christensen was surrounded by his friends and co-workers from the Naval Base in Bahrain and Navy Chaplain Lt. Reon Enriquez. Family friend, Bill Eikenbary, presided over the marriage ceremony from Washington joining Christensen and his new bride as husband and wife. Eikenbary spoke of the importance of the marriage vows the two young people were taking that day, the family they would be raising together and the extended family on hand. Christensen said before the ceremony that he was a little nervous, but also excited. Both emotions came to life as his turn to say "I will" had to be encouraged by Enriquez with a fatherly tap on the shoulder and a gentle reminder. "That's you. Say ‘I will,'" said Enriquez. Rivard on the other hand was quick to respond a very cheerful, "I will!" Once the vows were said, Rivard's ring was placed on her hand by her father, and Christensen's ring was placed on his finger by Boatswains Mate First Class Mark Pundt. At the end of the ceremony, Rivard's mother jokingly reminded her new son-in-law the shotgun was still under the counter. He responded with a very respectful, "Yes, Ma'am." It was all in fun as laughter erupted from everyone. "This is an extremely rare case," said Chaplain Enriquez. "This is something that has not happened on this base before. My job was to ensure all of the legalities were taken care of here, as well as there. I am glad it worked out for both of them and I wish them luck." "I am glad that I was able to do the right thing," Christensen said with a beaming smile. "It is a relief knowing she and the baby will be taken care of, and it feels wonderful to call Jennifer my wife." | |
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