Justices of peace offer free weddings

As the war in Iraq drags on, about 170 justices of the peace across Massachusetts have decided to offer a small gesture of good will to service members about to be shipped out, home on leave, or even after their deployment -- free wedding ceremonies.

Call it the icing on the cake.

The savings is $75 if the civil marriage is performed in the community where a justice lives and $125 if done in another city or town. Although the fees are set by the state, the justices have the discretion to marry couples pro bono, and they're publicizing the effort to encourage couples to start lining up.

"A lot of them just don't have a lot of money, and we want to give back to them what they give to the country," said Justice Elizabeth B. Gemelli of Woburn, president of the Massachusetts Justices of the Peace Association. "If they get deployed quickly and they have no time to get married, they have to have it performed."

The effort might be the first of its kind in the nation, said Barbara Jay of the Justice of the Peace Association of the United States. "This is the only time I've heard about it," Jay said.

Almost one-third of the Massachusetts group's 530 justices have volunteered to officiate at pro bono military weddings. Momentum for the idea was spurred by Justice Arthur Tatro of Spencer, who performed a free military wedding several months ago and urged his colleagues to follow suit, association officials said.

Justice Paul Gunnerson of Worcester, who has a son deployed with the Army for a second tour in Iraq, said he has performed several free ceremonies on his own since the war began.

"I can't imagine accepting money from somebody being deployed," Gunnerson said. "I can't thank them enough for what they're doing for me. This is giving me the honor and the privilege of officiating at the greatest day in their lives."

The military weddings where he's officiated tend to be very emotional, Gunnerson said. "Very often it's something that they hadn't planned on doing," he said. "But then they get their orders, and their whole worlds change."

Justice Nancy Cicci of Beverly has a son, US Army Sergeant Thomas Cicci, who is about to return to Iraq for a third tour.

"Even if my son wasn't there, it would be a pleasure," Cicci said. "The young men and women are giving their time and their lives for us. If this little bit of pleasure can help them out, it's not a big deal."

Justice Michael Backer of Southborough said the offer is good for all active military personnel who are being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, are on leave, or have returned from a tour there. Service members in the regular Armed Forces, the reserves, and the National Guard are eligible , he said.

"I think it's a wonderful thing," said Backer, secretary of the association. "Putting politics aside, forget about what you think of the war; these men and women are putting themselves in harm's way."

The agreement to waive the fee does not automatically include any extras that a couple might want, such as customized vows, the justice's appearance at the rehearsal dinner or reception, and rental fees. Any decision to waive those extra charges, which can add hundreds of dollars to the celebration, are at the discretion of the justice.

In Massachusetts, justices of the peace are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Governor's Council. One justice is allocated for every 5,000 residents in a community.

Gemelli said she does not know whether any couples have taken up the association's offer.