RAF recruit proposes at graduation parade
14 Apr 08
A graduate from the Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire dropped to one knee during his Graduation Parade recently and proposed to his girlfriend. Luckily, she said yes.
LAC Martin Jordan slides a diamond ring onto fiancee Kari-Anne's finger
[Picture: RAF]
Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Martin Jordan, aged 27, had been planning the proposal to Kari-Anne Crawford, also aged 27, for some time, and despite only having been together for six months, was so sure of her agreeing that he had already bought a ring.
On mentioning this to his Flight Staff, LAC Jordan's Sergeant suggested that he make the proposal during the graduation parade and on checking this with the chain of command who all agreed, gave the go ahead.
"I was very nervous but sure Kari-Anne would say yes as we had discussed our future together," said LAC Jordan.
Was Kari-Anne surprised?
"Just a bit! The Parade went great and just before we were dismissed Squadron Warrant Officer Paul Wheable called me out so she wondered what was going on." LAC Jordan then called Kari-Anne out from the crowd and got down on one knee. "She knew what was going on then. I was a bit worried with 500 people watching but luckily she accepted. We have pencilled in the 26th July if all goes well and I can't wait."
Warrant Officer Paul Wheable said:
"It's the first time I've been asked to do something like this. I think it all went very well and congratulations to them both."
LAC Jordan who lives with his family in Maeshyfryd, Bryncrug, Tywyn in Wales, previously served in the RAF between 1997 and 2002. He kept a lot of friends in the Service who persuaded him to come back.
LAC Martin Jordan proposes to fiancee Kari-Anne Crawford
[Picture: RAF]
On having to redo his basic training he said:
"It's a bit annoying but I have enjoyed it and I knew what to expect and it gets me up to scratch again."
He was also presented with the award for Best Ground Defence Training at the Parade:
"I went a bit gung ho! It's one of the parts of the forces I've always loved and obviously my efforts showed and they said my efforts in the field were second to none."
He will now go on to Phase 2 training at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering at Cosford to train as a Communications and Information Systems Operator/Maintainer which will involve him working with radars, computers and other communications.
Kari-Anne is a Junior schoolteacher in Southampton where she lives with her family and son Joe.