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CNN Live Saturday

Number of Marriages Among Military Personnel Is on the Rise

Aired October 06, 2001 - 16:27   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: One sector of the economy is reporting that business is good, and that would be the business of wedding chapels. Many of the newlyweds are military personnel. Not all say that they are concerned about shipping out soon, but many of them only decided to get married after September 11. CNN's Anne McDermott has the story of wedded bliss.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNE MCDERMOTT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): War weddings -- they've been around as long as, well, as long as wars have been around. And ever since September 11th they're back in style.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm worried on what's going to happen and what the future holds.

MCDERMOTT: And so before shipping off to France or Vietnam or Somalia or who knows where they pause to exchange a pair of rings.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For richer or for poorer.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: For richer or for poorer.

MCDERMOTT: This corporal and his bride were supposed to have a big wedding but ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Things happened and plans got changed.

MCDERMOTT: Yeah -- things happened. And now at this wedding chapel outside a southern California Marine base business is up 50 percent.

Part of its appeal is walk-ins are welcome and if you've got 40 minutes like these two Marines you've got yourself a ceremony. And you don't have to stand on ceremony here.

But all war weddings have one thing in common, says a psychiatrist -- that in times of trouble people really do need people.

DR. BRUCE SPRING, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: We need each other. Our desire to be connected with other people is very, very primary deep -- very whole in us.

MCDERMOTT: So do war weddings last? Well, this couple managed to make a go of it. And this couple says they will, too.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Por bueno y por malo.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Por bueno y por malo.

MCDERMOTT: For a lot of these couples their real fear is what if something happens. That's why this wedding chapel officiator always gives couples the same advice.

RAE WEEKS, "I DO" WEDDING CHAPEL: If they just have a month together or a week together or even a few hours -- make the most of it.

MCDERMOTT: Her other advice to couple is develop a good sense of humor because sooner or later you'll need one.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I present Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Fuller.

MCDERMOTT: Anne McDermott, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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