Soldier Marries Sister of A Fellow Soldier He Saved In Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Chris St. Onge of Tampa, Florida served with Bryan Dilberian in Afghanistan. In July 2011, they were out together with their squad on a routine patrol when a tragic explosion rocked them.

In an interview with Chris recalled, “We’re not 100 percent sure what happened, we just know an explosion happened that wounded Bryan and killed another member of our squad.”

“It was very tough,” Chris added. “You don’t think about it at that exact moment, you’re just worried about getting everyone out of there, but as soon as you get back to base that’s when it sets in all your emotions come to you.”

Chris helped stop Dilberian’s bleeding and immediately took him to the hospital. Still, the latter lost his two legs and left arm because of the explosion. The former, on the other hand, was awarded a Bronze Star for his heroism.

Staff Sgt. Chris St. Onge met Samantha, Bryan Dilberian’s sister – a fellow soldier he rescued in an Afghanistan explosion.

It was then that Chris started getting in touch with Samantha, Bryan’s sister, who constantly updated him about her brother’s condition via emails and phone calls. They finally met each other in person after 8 months.

Chris said:

“We just kept talking and one thing lead to another. I think we both knew, we just didn’t know how to express it to each other.”

Samantha, on the other hand, described the start of their relationship as “Crazy, exciting. A little bit of every emotion you can imagine.”

Source: Richard Harrell Photography

When they heard about the third annual “Mission I Do, Dream Wedding Giveaway, a contest for military personnel, the two decided to give it a shot.

Out of several dozens of entries, the couple won the contest.

Its indeed an extraordinary love story!

Source: Richard Harrell Photography

Ralph Zuckerman, owner of Old McMickey’s Farm in Odessa, Florida, commented:

“Chris and Samantha have a love story straight out of Hollywood, except it’s true. Old McMicky’s Farm is honored to be able to give such a deserving couple the wedding of their dreams.”

The prize included a check of $30,000 and a dream wedding at the waterfront venue at Old McMicky’s Farm.

Of course, Bryan Dilberian served as the best man for the wedding.

Source: Richard Harrell Photography

Just this past weekend, Chris and Samantha were married and around a hundred family members and friends witnessed the ceremony. Bryan, of course, served as the best man.

As Samantha summed up:

“Everything is just working out perfectly. I couldn’t have asked for a better husband than Chris and he’s so close to Bryan. It’s just perfect.”