CAL FIRE Firefighter's Marriage Proposal

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June 20, 2009 is a special day for CAL FIRE Firefighter Fred D'Acquisto and his fiancee, Dawn Marquardt. That was the day Fred proposed to Dawn during the 19th Annual Viejas FIRE EXPO/Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge.

The couple met a year earlier through friends. When talking about marriage and a proposal, Dawn told Fred, "I want to be surprised", and so he worked with Del Mar Lifeguards to do just that. Fred told Dawn that he was going to be part of a repelling demonstration at the Firefighter Expo. After repelling from the top of the arena at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, he proposed to her in front of a large audience.

Dawn explains that her family was in the bleachers during the demonstration. Fred's mother suggested she and Dawn move closer. "I totally helped her out," Dawn explains, saying she hoped to get better pictures. Fred even rigged his cargo pocket with safety pins, so the ring would not slip through the hole.

Fred says, "I could barely talk, I was so nervous. The repel was fine. As soon as I got off the rope and turned to look at her, I just kind of froze. I got to a knee and couldn't talk."

Dawn happily said yes, and the couple plans to tie the knot on July 3, 2010.




Author:Deanne Goodman - Video, Katelyn Sullivan - Text