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Soldier Gets Hitched Ahead Of Afghanistan Deployment

WILMINTON, Del. (CBS) -- It is one of the most inhospitable places on the planet, but in a few weeks, Staff Sergeant Justin Greenhow's boots will be on the ground in Afghanistan.

Before he left just before New Year's, he asked his longtime girlfriend to marry him.

"I'm one of those lucky guys who gets to marry his best friend," Greenhow said.

Thoughts of organizing a traditional wedding before he shipped out were quickly dismissed.

The couple believed they just didn't have enough time.

"The only chance really for us after we looked it over and mulled it over was to maybe do a courthouse wedding," Greenhow said.

But as it turns out, the staff sergeant did get the wedding he and his fiancé Rebecca Hess wanted.

On a whim, the couple entered a contest by our sister radio station 94.1 WYSP, which was sponsoring an all-expenses-paid wedding at the White Clay Creek Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware.

Just last week the couple found out they won.

Watch the video...

"We didn't think we would be able to get married for a long time," bride Jessica Greenhow said.

"At first I was like, 'Oh my goodness how is this even going to be possible?'" she said.

"Wow! What an amazing opportunity," the groom said.

The couple was married by WYSP Radio host and ordained Minister Danny Bonaduce.

"I just want them to remember what a lovely day they had," said Bonaduce.

"They made our dream come true," Rebecca Greenhow said.

"She's making my dreams come true right now," Justin Greenhow said.

Staff Sgt. Greenhow, who enlisted in the Delaware air National Guard, is set to be deployed to Afghanistan in March.

Looking ahead, the couple is planning a late honeymoon: a Caribbean cruise in August.

Reported by Todd Quinones, CBS 3

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