The heartwarming moment Marine who lost three limbs in Afghanistan blast marries his bride after town raises $30,000 to pay for dream wedding
A Marine who returned from active duty in Afghanistan following a devastating injury found a home that truly embraces their 'local' hero.
Former Marine corporal Juan Dominguez, 29, who lost both his legs and right arm from an IED (improvised explosive device), and his bride Alexis had the wedding of their dreams last month.
According to The TODAY Show, the couple were treated by residents of their adoptive home in Temecula, California who donated goods and services totaling $30,000 for their special day.
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Juan and Alexis's wedding was held in front of 147 friends and family membersJuan has a daughter Victoria, 10, from a previous relationship
The couple fell in love with Temecula when they attended the annual Marine Corps Ball there
The town of Temecula, CA raised over $30,000 for the wedding
The wedding, which took place on April 28, included 147 family and friends.
Dominguez proposed to Alexis earlier in the year on Valentine's Day. He opted for the traditional, asking her mother's permission beforehand.
The two met after Dominguez's injury in Afghanistan. He underwent 23 surgeries and spent over five months recuperating at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
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Dominguez was immediately smitten with Alexis after he met her as an out-patient at the U.S. Naval Medical Center in San Diego.
'I thought she was cute, so I kind of dumped my girlfriend at the time and asked her out.'
He was so taken with the aspiring graphic designer, that Dominguez flew her out to Washington D.C. for the Marine Corps marathon.
The grand gesture did not intimidate Alexis. Shortly after the marathon the two attended the Marine Corps Ball in the small town of Temecula.
Juan wanted to provide Alexis's dress and ring on his ownJuan received a custom-fitted smart home through the help of the Gary Sinise Foundation
Alexis hopes to pursue a career in graphic design
The town and the townspeople made an impression on the two as they decided to move there. Dominguez was hailed as a local hero.
The Gary Sinise Foundation raised funds to provide Dominguez with a smart home. Actor Jon Voight was on hand when the home was presented to Juan and Alexis in September of last year.
When it came to planning his wedding, Dominguez could count on a number of the residents of the town once again.
Bill Wilson, who owns a local winery, donated the venue, food and wine.
Jennifer Molloy, who runs an event planning firm, also used her local connections for the wedding. She told TODAY that, 'I just felt like I had been chosen by [them], and couldn't have been happier.'
The town of Temecula is close to San Diego, where Juan receives out-patient care from a Naval hospitalBoth Juan and Alexis hope to go back to school
There were however some items that Dominguez wanted to provide Alexis on his own. 'They wanted to buy her ring and her dress, but I wanted to take care of that.'
Alexis also used her graphic design skills to assist in the save the date cards and invitations.
After the wedding the two were treated to a honeymoon in Bora Bora. Alexis was happy with the tropical locale.
'More breathtaking than pictures describe, and gave us a good chance to decompress after the wedding.'
Now that they two are both settled in Temecula they both plan on enrolling into school.
Alexis hopes to study illustration and crafts while Juan would like to pursue a career in music.