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Nov 20, 2009 7:30 am US/Central
Marines Tell MN Couple Skype Wedding Wasn't Legal
OWATONNA, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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The two met in a friend's backyard when they were both still in their teens. (File)
CBS
A marine and his girlfriend were married over the Internet in May while one was still in Iraq and the other in Minnesota. Months later, the Marines say the wedding isn't legit.
Lance Corporal David Luedtke spent six months in Iraq during his first deployment as a Marine. Luedtke's first few weeks back home have been occupied with a new battle over benefits.
"I just wanted to be married to him. I've been in love with him since we were kids," Breana Luedtke said.
It was May 23 when the newlyweds sealed the deal on Skype. The same day, she should have been covered under his medical insurance and he should've been given a pay raise since he added a dependent.
Nearly seven months later, the Luedtkes say they are still being treated like singles by the military.
The Marines told them a proxy marriage may not be recognized in the U.S. Both bride and groom need to be there. Breana and David Luedtke say they were together. They were simply 6,384 miles apart.
That was good enough for the state of Minnesota, because they issued the two a marriage license.
Because of the delay, Breana Luedtke has about $500 in medical bills insurance should've covered.
The newlyweds will continue to wait for answers from Washington and that happy ending every husband and wife hope for.
"We chose to do what we did the way we chose to do it, and so, as frustrating as it is, we kind of have to deal with it," Breana Luedtke said.
The Luedtkes say the marine office in Minnesota has been very helpful. A spokesperson in Washington D.C. said that he is looking into the holdup. He says all the paperwork is in order and other military members have been married this way and it hasn't been a problem before.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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