Marines marry on historic Battleship Texas

Wedding almost didn't happen after bride suffered hip injury in boot camp

LA PORTE, Texas – The setting: The historic Battleship Texas on the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. The occasion: A wedding complete with an arch on the bow of the ship. Oh, and don't forget the beaming mother of the bride.

"I'm very happy and Kasey's awesome and she's really happy," said the bride's mother, Linda Hann. "You know, that's what we want for our kids."

Lance Cpl. Kasey Graham, from Tarkington Prairie in Liberty County, met his bride, Pvt. Mallory Curtner of Conroe, at a local Marine recruiting station earlier this year.

At the time he didn't realize that he not only helped recruit a lovely young lady, he recruited a gal who would become his wife.

After sunset in the presence of family and friends, the two recited their vows. But this wedding almost didn't happen. Mallory suffered a hip injury in boot camp and was almost held back. She made her wedding just in time after graduating from Parris Island in South Carolina last Friday.

One week later, she's now Pvt. Mallory Graham.

"That's what I looked forward to in boot camp," said Mallory. "That's what got me through boot camp is being able to be with him soon. That's what got me through everything."

"Actually, getting to be around her is perfect, because it's something we aren't going to be able to do very much for the next three months," said Kasey.

The couple will have to delay their honeymoon. After getting married Friday evening, Kasey will leave for Washington state to continue his specific job training, and Mallory leaves for Camp Lejeune in North Carolina to begin combat training. They'll be apart for most of the next three months.


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