Our American Dream: A Heroes' Love Story in Iraq

William Marquez and Maria Lopez were married on 31 May, 2009, celebrating with their closest friends and family members at the Harbor Kidd Inn in San Diego, California. (AP2005)

In October 2010, while serving together at Joint Base Balad in Iraq, William Marquez and Maria Lopez pose for a photo in front of one of the many vehicles that ensures the safety of convoys responsible for carrying supplies to soldiers advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces.

In November 2010, while on military leave from their deployment to Iraq, Maria Lopez and William Marquez share the serenity and unique beauty of Venice, Italy.

In the spring of 2009 at the Getty Villa in Malibu California, Maria Lopez and William Marquez sit in front of a replica of an ancient Roman fountain. They later saw the real thing at the ruins of Pompeii while vacationing in Italy during their military leave.

A collage of the army couples' beautiful wedding. Celebrating with their closest friends and family members, William Marquez and Maria Lopez married on 31 May, 2009, at the Harbor Kidd Inn in San Diego, California.

While enjoying their two weeks of authorized leave from Iraq in November of 2010, Maria Lopez and William Marquez sit at the Fontana del Moro in Rome, Italy.

On 31 December, 2009, at the Queen Mary in their hometown of Long Beach, California, William Marquez and Maria Lopez celebrate their first New Year’s Eve as husband and wife.