Military couple returns to Isle of Romance to plan wedding
"---o.
Brandi Tucker's son Cody welcomes Lewis home from his second tour of duty.
Following a one-year
tour in Afghanistan,
a solidier and his
fiance visit Avalon to
plan their big event
BY THERESA CUMMINGS
In June 2011, the Islander re-
ported on a romantic weekend for
Sgt. Steve Lewis and his sweet-
heart Brandi Tucker.
He had completed a tour of duty
in Iraq and was headed for another
tour in Afghanistan.
He surprised Tucker with a visit
to Catalina in order to propose b e-
fore heading back into battle.
Last weekend, the couple re-
turned to the Island to explore
wedding Options on Catalina.
Lewis had returned from his
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year in Afghanistan a mere 10
days earlier.
They arrived on Friday, Nov.
16, and headed back to the main-
land on Sunday.
The Islander talked with the
couple during their recent visit and
asked Sgt. Lewis about his year in
Afghanistan.
He lost 30 pounds during his
year in Afghanistan and enjoyed
every meal much more than any
ordinary person would.
Out of his many incredible sto-
ries, one of the most memorable
was when there was direct fire in
his location. "On June llth, 2012,
our COP (Combat Outpost) came
under "IDF (In Direct Fire) from
an 82mm recoilless rifle," he said.
"The first round sailed over our
motor pool and our living tents,
and exploded just outside our
northern wall.
"The next round went through
one of the living tents, inches
above a soldier's head that was ly-
ing in his bunk," Lewis said.
"It then went through the air
conditioning vent, and proceeded
to go out the opposite wall without
exploding," he said.
"After the round went through
the tent, -it penetrated the wall of
the chow hall, and exploded on the
floor underneath a row of tables.
Nobody was injured in this attack,
which is incredible given the tim-
ing of it," he said.
"We had just had a convoy of
higher-ranking personnel come in,
and it was lunch time. Normally
this chow hall would have been
packed with soldiers at this time
of day," Lewis said. "The food was
Brandi Tucker accepted Sgt. Steve Lewis' marriage proposal in Avalon in June 2011. Now Lewis
is back from a tour in Afghanistan and the couple is planning their wedding.
making everyone sick due to the
unsanitary conditions, so on this
particular day, it was empty."
A year apart
Tucker spoke about her year
without Lewis at her side.
"It is difficult not knowing what
is going on while he was gone, but
it is part of being with someone in
the military, '* Tucker said. "I had
attended a pre-deployment train-
ing class to let me know what to
expect, so at least I understood
what he was facing. It just Was so
difficult knowing that he was in
the line of fire and I needed to give
him space from my world so he
could focus on remaining safe."
They said their second visit to
Catalina .was a magical experi-
ence.
The Santa Catalina Island Com-
pany provided discounted housing
for the couple at the Pavilion Ho-
tel, a free tour to the Airport in the
Sky, and many other discounted
experiences.
Seeking a wedding location, the
couple visited the Wrigley Memo-
rial, various churches in town, as
well as Descanso Beach and other
locations.
A date has not yet been set.
The couple anticipates 100 attend-
ees and have to factor in travel and
accommodations for their guests,
as well as costs for the wedding
itself.
Not having the ability for a
larger venue, they are continuing
to explore what they can afford.
Anyone who wants to help them
may call Theresa Cummings at
(310) 245-6275.
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417 Crescent Ave
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6 i Friday, November 23, 2012
THE CATALINA ISLANDER
