Iraq Injuries and Sandy Rebuilding Can't Stop Ex-Marine's Proposal

Corporal Michael J. Moore Jr., of Camden County, walked a painful road to eventually meeting his soul mate, Jenna Yoder. 

In 2005, Cpl. Moore deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, where he was injured while conducting combat operations. He was left with broken bones and critical back trauma, unable to return to his grunt unit. But a year later, while on a spring break trip with fellow Marines, Moore met Yoder. The couple says it was love at first sight.

Enter Roman Jewelers, a family-owned and operated jeweler preparing to open a new stand alone shop in Bridgewater. The store's owners wanted to help a New Jersey military veteran in love do the same by popping the big question.

In 2007, Michael and Jenna purchased a home and Michael decided to buckle down and save to buy Jenna the perfect engagement ring. But in October 2012, Hurricane Sandy struck with full force, and Moore saw his dreams of the perfect proposal for his bride-to-be slip away. The engagement ring fund (and then some) was appropriated to cover the cost of repairing the old house.

Michael and Jenna have been selected by Roman Jewelers as the recipients of a custom-designed, 2 carat (total weight) diamond engagement ring valued at over $10,000. The jeweler will be hosting an engagement party to honor the couple in tandem with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Dec. 4th at the new Bridgewater location. 

“Our new Bridgewater location is our dream and we’re thrilled to be helping make a dream come true for this wonderful couple,” Lucy Zimmerman, Roman Jewelers Co-Owner & General Manager, said. “What better way to celebrate this exciting new beginning for Roman Jewelers than by granting a deserving military couple a new beginning as well.” 

The Roman Jewelers Bridgewater location is four times the size of their former store in the Bridgewater Commons Mall—a staggering 5,500 square feet total. The palatial space will include an expanded shop with three full time jewelers, state-of-the-art equipment to further the craftsmanship of custom design work and repairs, as well as an expanded inventory of jewelry and fine Swiss watches at all price points. 

The store’s ribbon cutting ceremony and Mike and Jenna’s proposal/engagement party for family and friends will both take place at 500 Commons Way (across from the Bridgewater Commons in the former AAA building) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 4.