Groom’s off to Baghdad, but it’s no honeymoon

Sergeant Charles and Kerri Kearnan take their vows at a ceremony officiated by Caplain Bob Heathwood. Photo by CPL Craig Sharp

Australia’s commitment to the war in Iraq has caused many sudden changes in the lives of serving personnel but for one Air Force member it meant changing his wedding plans.

Sergeant Charles Kearnan and his fiance, Kerri Boardman, had planned to marry in Brisbane last Sunday but everything changed at short notice when Charlie learnt he was going to the Middle East.

The Amberley-based Airfield Defence Guard was out celebrating his buck’s night when he got the call about the possibility of short notice deployment.

Initially thinking it was friends playing a joke, SGT Kearnan soon realised it was for real and he and Kerri decided to bring forward their big day.

Changing wedding plans at short notice is a massive task at the best of times but due to circumstances, SGT Kearnan and his bride-to-be also had to move the wedding about 1400km up north to Townsville to coincide with his deployment on Anzac Day.

Chaplain (Squadron Leader) Bob Heathwood, who was originally to conduct the ceremony in Brisbane, also proved flexible, and both he and Kerri were flown to Townsville for a ceremony at the base chapel on the eve of SGT Kearnan’s departure.

With their honeymoon on hold, the couple intend to renew their wedding vows in front of family and friends when Charlie returns from the Middle East.

Deployed with the Air Traffic Control element, SGT Kearnan is assisting with airfield security at Baghdad International Airport as part of Australia’s contribution to the post-war rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.

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