Posted By:
Catherine Moy
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lorinda Taketa, stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, Calif., wipes away tears while trying on a gown. (Pauline Lubens)

United States troops promise to protect our country for reasons beyond money. So it is only fitting that we support them in any way that we can, whether it is through care packages, notes, or hounding our legislators to do the right things when it comes to laws affecting our troops.

A San Jose bridal shop, Bella Mia Bride in San Jose’s Westgate Mall, has gone a step further, giving away 30 wedding gowns to military brides, whether they are in the service or their fiancé is serving.

We at Move America Forward helped advertise the Bella Mia Bride’s gift to deserving women.

The San Jose Mercury News reported on the selfless, patriotic gesture:

By Joshua Molina
Mercury News

With streaks of purple, aqua and green in her hair, giddy Jennifer Phan walked out of the dressing room in a strapless oyster-colored dress. She had a bounce to her step and a twinkle in her eye.
Surrounded by mirrors and the eyes of her mother and friends, the 25-year-old knew, in that moment, the search was over.
“We found a dress,” she cheered, prompting a rousing wave of applause.
Retail price: $800. Phan’s price: $0.
The San Jose resident was one of about 30 women who walked away with a free wedding dress on Sunday, courtesy of a “military bridal gown giveaway” sponsored by Bella Mia Bride in San Jose’s Westgate Mall.
“I am really grateful,” Phan said. “It’s a great feeling when you have actually found the dress you will wear on your wedding day.”
Boutique owner Jennifer Yu devoted Sunday to military families who are planning to walk down the aisle. Dozens of wide-eyed women lined up outside the store when it opened, and by the end of the day she had given away new dresses valued at tens of thousands of dollars. The most expensive one cost $2,000.
Phan and her fiance, 25-year-old Mark Abarquez, a Marine sergeant at Camp Pendleton who has served in Iraq, plan to marry in September 2009 in Los Gatos.
They expect to have at least 500 people there. With a food budget already estimated at about $20,000, she was all smiles over the gift.
“The dress,” she said, “helps with the budget for the overall wedding.”