The military base Apache, Zabul Province, was the scene of the wedding ceremony organized on Saturday, October 9, by 2nd Lieutenant Alexandru Iulian Ilie, of the 811th 'Dragonii Transilvani' Infantry Battalion and 2nd Lieutenant Diana Elena Macovei, of the 812th 'Soimii Carpatilor' Infantry Battalion.

The two were pronounced man and wife by LTC Ioan Marian Cristurean, commander of the 811th 'Dragonii Transilvani' Infantry Battalion.

The event, a first in the theaters of operations where the Romanian troops are deployed, was attended by COL James Blackburn, commander Combined Team Zabul (CTZ), his deputy, COL Dorin Blaiu, troops of the multinational force, of the Afghan National Army, of the 811th 'Dragonii Transilvani' Infantry Battalion.

The two young officers had LTC Ilie Sas and MAJ Tudor Bivolaru as best men at their civil marriage. After the legal provisions had been read, the two said \"I DO\" and were pronounced man and wife.

At the end of the ceremony, COL Dorin Blaiu read the message of the defence minister, who wished them a happy marriage, reassuring them that the Romanian military will watch over the young family.

'You are two young brave people. You have to face risks and hardships far away from home and from the loved ones and you fight side by side to do your duty to the country. You chose to offer each other the wedding rings in an out of the ordinary place. Your gesture symbolizes once more the triumph of life over hardships, of peace over war, of harmony over dispute. This is an emotional moment for the entire Romanian military, as this is the first Romanian marriage in a theater of operations. On behalf of the great family of the Romanian military, on behalf of my family and myself , I send you my most heartfelt wishes for health and happiness!' the defence minister said in his message to the young couple.

They are both 25 and met for the first time in 2004. During their military studies at the Land Forces Academy they were colleagues and part of the same company. Their love story began in the autumn of 2008, while attending the course for platoon commanders at the Training Center for Infantry and Mountain troops in Fagaras. After graduation they worked in Bistrita garrison.

Alexandru and Diana have a young daughter, Sasa Elena, who is at present, in the care of her grandparents.

MoND Press Office