Deploying Des Moines Reserve Soldier, fiancée marry during military ceremony at Camp Dodge

By Sgt. 1st Class Mark BellNovember 8, 2011

Deploying Des Moines Reserve Soldier and fiancee marry
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Des Moines resident, Staff Sgt. Charles G. Reisinger waits for his soon-to-be bride, Lisa A. Wild, to walk through Soldiers in a formation from the 200th Military Police Command's 348th Military Police Company, based at nearby Ames, Iowa, during a we... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Deploying Des Moines Reserve Soldier and fiancee marry
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Des Moines residents, Staff Sgt. Charles G. Reisinger and soon-to-be bride, Lisa A. Wild, meet in front of Soldiers from the 200th Military Police Command's 348th Military Police Company, based at nearby Ames, Iowa, during their wedding ceremony held... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Deploying Des Moines Reserve Soldier and fiancee marry
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Chaplain (Maj.) John Meyer marries Des Moines residents, Staff Sgt. Charles G. Reisinger and Lisa A. Wild in front of Soldiers from the 200th Military Police Command's 348th Military Police Company, based at nearby Ames, Iowa, during the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Deploying Des Moines Reserve Soldier and fiancee marry
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Chaplain (Maj.) John Meyer marries Des Moines residents, Staff Sgt. Charles G. Reisinger and Lisa A. Wild in front of Soldiers from the 200th Military Police Command's 348th Military Police Company, based at nearby Ames, Iowa, during the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Deploying Des Moines Reserve Soldier and fiancee marry
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Chaplain (Maj.) John Meyer marries Des Moines residents, Staff Sgt. Charles G. Reisinger and Lisa A. Wild in front of Soldiers from the 200th Military Police Command's 348th Military Police Company, based at nearby Ames, Iowa, during the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Deploying Des Moines Reserve Soldier and fiancee marry
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Chaplain (Maj.) John Meyer marries Des Moines residents, Staff Sgt. Charles G. Reisinger and Lisa A. Wild in front of Soldiers from the 200th Military Police Command's 348th Military Police Company, based at nearby Ames, Iowa, during the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Deploying Des Moines Reserve Soldier and fiancee marry
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Chaplain (Maj.) John Meyer marries Des Moines residents, Staff Sgt. Charles G. Reisinger and Lisa A. Wild in front of Soldiers from the 200th Military Police Command's 348th Military Police Company, based at nearby Ames, Iowa, during the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP DODGE, Iowa -- Reserve Soldiers who arrive at a unit's annual training site are prepared for long days at weapons-qualification ranges, getting near-painful shots and standing in long lines at the local chow hall.

For members of the 200th Military Police Command's 348th Military Police Company, based at nearby Ames, Iowa, this annual training was anything but normal on Oct. 29 during a unique formation that helped write a new chapter in the life of one Reserve military policeman.

Des Moines residents, Staff Sgt. Charles G. Reisinger and the former Lisa A. Wild were married by Army Reserve Chaplain (Maj.) John Meyer in front of the military formation, family and friends.

"What better place to have our wedding than here," she said. "The Army Reserve is such a huge part of his life, and his service to our country is something I could never appreciate enough."

She said the decision was a no brainer.

"We had to have it here in front of his friends and comrades that he will spend the next year in possible harm's way."

Reisinger and the rest of his company are scheduled to deploy early next year to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The unit was spending two weeks at Camp Dodge preparing Soldiers for the mission.

The newlyweds met more than five years ago through mutual friends and quickly became best friends. During the past several months, they decided to write the next chapter in their lives together.

"The military has always been my life, but after today, Lisa is my life, with the Army Reserve in a close second," he said laughing. "Finding the right person to spend the rest of your life with is important and difficult process. The past five years have made it easy today."

With her father at her side and the American flag Velcroed on the right shoulders of the Soldiers in formation, providing a patriotic backdrop, Reisinger stood several steps above the formation awaiting his soon-to-be wife.

"She's my best friend," he said. "Over time, we realized that we were meant to be together and having my fellow Soldiers here with me to share this special moment was an amazing feeling. I couldn't ask for anything more."

After the ceremony, the new Reisinger family walked back through the formation and the unit colors were raised to the position of attention as the first sergeant called the Soldiers to attention.

"This is a day we will never forget," she said. "I am so proud of him as a husband and a Soldier."

With an upcoming year-long deployment, both said it will be their love, trust and honesty that will make their marriage succeed.

"Too many times we see military families fail," he said. "We must trust our spouses to do the right thing. Of course, couples make mistakes, but it is those mistakes which will make us stronger and last longer."

Lisa said she looks forward to working with the unit's family readiness group during the difficult year away from her new husband.

"The Army Reserve has so many resources in place to help families," she said. "We have to just reach out and ask someone for help. I look forward to working side-by-side other wives in supporting our husbands not only during the holidays but throughout the year."

For Capt. Alex Leu, the company commander, the decision to support his Soldier was an easy one.

"As the senior leader, it is my responsibility to ensure our Soldiers are our number one priority," he said after the ceremony. "We must listen to our Soldiers and help them with their endeavors. "

Leu said he was honored to be a part of a wedding ceremony for one of his Soldiers.

"He's a great non-commissioned officer and I am sure he will do great things with his new family," he said. "As we get close to our scheduled deployment, we must ensure our Army Reserve Families who do not wear the uniform are not forgotten."

Leu said the unit's family readiness group will be armed with the tools to empower families to communicate not only with their loved ones but with other families.

"We have seen from experience that we are not alone in our questions and concerns," he said. "If we have mechanisms in place, not only will the Reisinger Family succeed, but all our families will succeed during a difficult deployment."

Leu said the unit colors stand for every Soldier and family member.

"To have our unit colors at the ceremony is not only important for the Reisingers but to all military police families," Leu said.

As the Reisingers climbed into the awaiting car, the company first sergeant did what all first sergeants do.

"Now let's get back to work," he shouted.

Related Links:

200th Military Police Command News Page