Couple weds outside Keesler shelter Published Sept. 7, 2005 By Staff Sgt. Lee Smith 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFPN) -- Five days after Hurricane Katrina dramatically changed many lives in the Gulf Coast region, a couple here began a new chapter in their own lives.Tech. Sgt. Daniel McMullen of the 335th Training Squadron and his girlfriend of three years, LaVerne, exchanged wedding vows Sept. 3 outside one of the base's seven shelters used to house people here since the hurricane struck.Guests of the bride and groom, all who shared a shelter with the couple, dressed for the occasion in the most fashionable way. The groomsmen wore reflective safety belts while the bridesmaids wore reflective safety vests.Sergeant McMullen wore his battle dress uniform accented by a makeshift bow tie made out of yellow caution tape, while LaVerne appeared wearing a yellow dress.Sergeant McMullen said the wedding was made even more special because the people he had been with through the hurricane were part of this special day."I've shared a lot with these folks over the last eight days," Sergeant McMullen said. "We all survived the storm together. This couldn't have gone any better."Mrs. McMullen said the wedding was originally planned for Sept. 8, but she and Sergeant McMullen decided having it a few days early would not make a difference."We had the marriage license, and we could have went to a justice of the peace, but we both figured why wait? Let's do it right now," she said."This was a memorable and special day for both of us," Sergeant McMullen said. "This will be a year we will never forget."Chaplain (Capt.) Randy Sellers of the 81st Training Wing performed the ceremony that made the vows official."I've seen miracles happen during this storm, and now I have seen two people joined together in holy matrimony," Chaplain Sellers said. "This is a great time for these two people." (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)