Honoring Heroes with Dream Weddings
By: Kristen Castillo

When veteran Marine Cpl. Chris Van Etten and his fiancé Samantha Yovandich get married on April 1, 2017 at Paradise Falls in Oceanside, it will be an emotional day…Van Etten lost his legs from an improvised explosive device (IED) blast during a 2012 deployment to Afghanistan.

Now the couple, who have overcome hardships, will celebrate their nuptials for free, as recipients of the Vows for Vets program.

The program, which is in it’s seventh year, was started by retired Marine Col. Al Ransom and his wife Cathie, owners of Los Willows Wedding Estate in Fallbrook and Paradise Falls. Each year, the Ransom’s gift the recipient couple an all-expenses-paid wedding and enlist the donated help from local wedding vendors who provide their goods and services free of charge.

“With the help of our terrific vendor, we provide Paradise Falls venue, outstanding catering allowing the couple choose their selections, the DJ, floral designer, photographer, clergy, videographer, photo booth, hosted beer and wine bar, hair and makeup services, and tons of assistance from volunteers for set up, clean up, security, banquet staff and much more,” says Cathie Ransom, owner of Los Willows, explaining they’re also working on getting an exotic honeymoon donated for the couple.

Van Etten, a writer and model, has a goal of opening a gym that includes adaptive training for people with physical obstacles and providing specialized trainers to help those individuals to feel their best.

New Beginnings
The Ransom’s work closely with staff from Balboa Naval Hospital, which specializes in traumatic injuries endured by servicemen and servicewomen, to couples for Vows for Vets.

“We recognize the sacrifices that our young troops have endured and the challenges that lie ahead and are extremely honored to help in any way possible to be a part of an exciting new chapter in their lives and what better new beginning than providing a completely free dream wedding,” says Cathie.

Last year’s Vows for Vets couple was Retired Marine Sergeant Kaleb Weakley, who was injured by gunshot wounds to his upper and lower extremities while serving in Afghanistan in 2012, and his wife Sydney. They married at Los Willows in March 2016. Weakley credits Sydney with inspiring and supporting him.

“I am always active and on-the-go and it’s all because of her,” he says. “She gave me hope and showed me that I am equal to, if not better physically, than any able bodied person. I love her forever and always will.”

Last year’s Vows for Vets couple was Retired Marine Sergeant Kaleb Weakley, who was injured by gunshot wounds to his upper and lower extremities while serving in Afghanistan in 2012, and his wife Sydney. They married at Los Willows in March 2016. Weakley credits Sydney with inspiring and supporting him.

“I am always active and on-the-go and it’s all because of her,” he says. “She gave me hope and showed me that I am equal to, if not better physically, than any able bodied person. I love her forever and always will.”

Another recipient couple, Marine Sgt. Toran Gaal and his wife Lisa married at Paradise Falls in March 2016. He lost his legs and sustained brain injury when an IED detonated under him while in Afghanistan in 2011, during his third deployment. After being told he’d have to rely on a wheelchair, Gaal learned to walk again; became a marathoner and surfer. He’s completed a “Ride Across America,” logging 4067 miles across 17 states and 51 cities, raising almost $50,000 for the Semper Fi Fund, a non-profit that helps wounded veterans.