The wedding of two Rockport residents had an added surprise when a soldier in Afghanistan gave the wedding toast via Skype.
The best man in absentia was Army Staff Sgt. Jason Balzarini, also of Rockport. Although unable to be there in person, Balzarini was able to give a surprise wedding toast to the newly married couple, Rockport police Patrolman Michael Anderson and Jessica Cooper, via the video call software.
It was about 4:30 a.m. in Balzarini’s part of the world. It was a stormy Saturday evening at the Ocean View Inn and Resort on Gloucester’s Back Shore where the wedding took place last week.
The couple and the crowd watched the message on an iPhone belonging to Balzarini’s sister, Cassie Balzarini, who was working at the inn for the wedding.
Balzarini and Anderson, the grandson of former Rockport Police Chief Louis Anderson, have been friends since their days as students at Rockport High School where they played baseball together. Balzarini graduated in 2002 and Anderson a year later in 2003.
The couple — and everyone else in the room — was greatly moved to see and hear the army staff sergeant share his well wishes to the couple while deployed overseas.
“That was an awesome surprise,” said Anderson.
Gail McCarthy can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3445, or at gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
