WEDDINGS FOR WARRIORS
GIVEAWAY

A Celebration in Honor of Your Service

For generations, The War Memorial has been a place where our community gathers to honor service, celebrate life's milestones, and create lasting memories. From moments of remembrance to new beginnings, we believe the occasions that bring people together are among life's most meaningful.

Our inaugural Weddings for Warriors was a truly remarkable success. Service members and veterans from across the nation applied, opening their hearts to us and helping further our mission in ways we couldn't have imagined.

Selecting just three finalists from so many deserving applicants was no easy task, but the public has officially spoken!

Please join us in celebrating our winners: Brandon & Mickayla!

Sparks flew when the two were introduced by mutual friends while Brandon was stationed in San Diego. "Looking back, it’s kind of crazy how perfectly it all came together," Brandon recalled. "What started as a quiet setup turned into something completely genuine and exactly what I had been searching for.”

Between Brandon’s service as an Aviation Maintenance Technician Second Class in the U.S. Coast Guard, and Mickayla’s dedication to people as a Registered Nurse, this couple devotes their lives to helping others. We are humbled and thrilled to return the favor by gifting them the wedding of their dreams.

The Wedding Package

One deserving veteran or active-duty military couple will receive a wedding celebration at The War Memorial for up to 150 guests, thoughtfully created through the generosity of our community partners.

Together, these donated services represent more than $90,000 in value and are intended to help you focus on what matters most — celebrating your marriage surrounded by the people you love.

We have partnered with the following vendors to provide an all-inclusive wedding package for the chosen couple.

This celebration would not be possible without the generosity of the local businesses who have chosen to share their time, talents, and expertise in honor of those who have served. Their support reflects the strength of a community coming together to celebrate one deserving military couple.

Meet The Finalists

Tyler & Anne

Their story began in high school, years after Anne unknowingly cheered for her future husband on the sidelines of youth football. Eight years later, their love has endured four years and 10,000 miles apart during Tyler’s Marine Corps service, sustained by letters, trust and unwavering support.

Torrey & Camila

They crossed paths during the pandemic while Torrey was activated with the National Guard and Camila was painting a mural in downtown Lansing. A shared love of art, music and culture grew into a five-year partnership, a creative life together and, ultimately, a family of their own.

Brandon & Mickayla

They met in San Diego while Brandon was stationed there, thanks to a quiet setup by mutual friends. Four years later, their relationship has carried them through military moves, long-distance stretches and starting over in new places, always grounded in loyalty, teamwork and showing up for one another.

ELIGIBILITY

  • At least one member of the couple must be an Active-Duty Service Member or Veteran of the United States Armed Forces.

  • Couples must provide proof of military service.

  • Couples must be legally eligible to marry.

  • Nominations are limited to the first 100 received

  • Weddings currently contracted with The War Memorial are prohibited from entering

How It Works

DETAILS

  • Applications opened August 1, 2026

  • Applications closed August 22, 2026 at 11:59pm

  • 3 Finalists notified September 1

  • Each finalist will make a short video, then the public will vote beginning September 8

  • Winning couple announced September 23

Learn more about weddings at The War Memorial

SELECTION PROCESS

We begin the process by accepting applications from couples that have at least 1 person that is a veteran or active duty military service member. After the initial application phase, an internal selection committee will select 3 finalists. Once the finalists are chosen, they will be asked to make a short video telling their story about why they should win. The videos and stories will then be opened for public voting to determine the winning couple!

Finalists and the selected couple must agree to participate in reasonable promotional activities, including photography, videography, interviews, and media appearances.