By: BILL JONES/Staff Writer
Source: The Greeneville Sun
11-04-2004

AFTON — A young Tennessee Army National Guard soldier, who expects to leave for active duty in Iraq by the end of the month, and his teenage fiancee were married on Tuesday at the home of the bride’s parents here.

Spc. Jeremy Allen Bonds, 20, and Ashley Renee Winters, 18, were married in a noon civil ceremony conducted by County Mayor Roger Jones in the living room of the Mike and Tracy Winters residence on Falcon Circle.

Bonds, a member of Greeneville-based Troop G of the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, had returned home on leave last Friday after about four months of training with the rest of the 278th ACR at Camp Shelby, Miss., and Fort Irwin, Calif.

As about a dozen family members watched, Ashley was escorted into the living room of the residence by her father and took her place beside Jeremy, who stood dressed in his green U.S. Army dress uniform.

Standing beside Jeremy was his grandfather, B.C. Lopez, a World War II veteran, who served as “best man” during the ceremony.

Serving as Ashley’s "maid of honor" was her friend, Mindy Johnson.

Mayor Jones began the ceremony by asking the dozen or so friends and family members who were present to bow their heads for a prayer.

"Dear Lord, we’re asking you to bless this union today," Jones prayed, in part.

"Let this couple look to you for strength, guidance and direction as they join hands today to be united to one another. May they always hold your hand as they go through life."

Wedding Ceremony

After the prayer, Jones asked the couple to hold hands and began the wedding ceremony.

Reading from a prepared text, Jones told the couple, "This is the time you have chosen to become husband and wife. We are here, not only to witness your commitment to each other, but also to wish you both every happiness in your future lives together.

"Within a framework of commitment and loyalty, marriage enables the establishment of a home where trust, patience and respect and the love and affection that you have for each other may develop into a deep and lasting relationship.

"We, who are witnessing your marriage, hope that despite the stresses that are inevitable in life, your love, respect for each other and your trust and understanding of each other will increase your commitment to each other.

"Every day you live, learn to receive love with as much understanding as you give it (love). Have an open heart and a sincere mind."

Jones urged the couple to "commit yourselves fully and freely to each other" and reminded them of the serious nature of their promises to each other.

He then called on the couple to repeat traditional wedding vows to each other.

Both responded "I will" after first repeating wedding vows that included promises to take each other to be their lawfully wedded spouses.

The young couple took turns placing wedding bands on each other’s left hands.

"With this ring, I thee wed," each repeated in turn.

"By the authority invested in me, according to the laws of Greene County and the great state of Tennessee, and Almighty God, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife," Jones said in concluding the ceremony. "You may kiss the bride."

The couple kissed briefly.

Jones said afterward that he had been "honored" to be asked by the young couple to perform their wedding ceremony. He said the couple had contacted him about two months earlier and asked him to perform their wedding ceremony.

"He called me first from Camp Shelby, and she phoned a little while later," Jones said.

Must Leave Soon

During a brief post-ceremony interview, Bonds said he returned home from months of training at Camp Shelby, Miss., and Fort Irwin, Calif, only last Friday and must be back at Camp Shelby on Tuesday, Nov. 9.

Bonds said he and Ashley had known each other since 2002, but only decided to get married in August when she came to Mississippi to visit him while he was in training there with his fellow Troop G soldiers and other units of the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment.

Troop G has been broken up since the unit left Greeneville for Camp Shelby on Father’s Day, according to Bonds.

He said that he, and the other cavalry scouts who formerly were assigned to Troop G, now are assigned to the Kingsport-based headquarters company of the 278th ACR’s second squadron.

Asked about the training at Camp Shelby and Fort Irwin, Bonds described it as "high speed and grueling."

"You had to keep your head in the game," Bonds said. "This is training to (protect) your life over there (Iraq). You have to pay attention to everything you do."

Bonds, who said he expects to be assigned as a machine gunner aboard a Jeep-like military vehicle called a HUMVEE.

He said that soldiers were told that there was no room for mediocre performance on training tasks.

"You’ve got to be top-notch all the time," he said.

The young soldier said it could be January 2006 before he returns to Greeneville.