A North Fork oyster farmer and U.S. Army Reserve captain married his childhood sweetheart Sunday in a $65,000 wedding celebration at Greenport’s historic Brecknock Hall, courtesy of a longstanding Veterans Day tradition honoring military service.

Capt. Jacob N. Feibusch and Emily Mae Siegel, both of Cutchogue, exchanged vows Nov. 8 as winners of the 14th annual Veterans Day Wedding Giveback, sponsored by Peconic Landing and Brecknock Hall.

The annual giveaway provides a complimentary wedding to a military couple, with local businesses donating everything from catering and flowers to photography, entertainment and other services.

For Feibusch and Siegel, the celebration marked another milestone in a relationship that began decades ago, when the two first met as kindergarten classmates in Kings Park.

Their friendship grew over the years, and they began dating in 2020 after reconnecting during college.

“Jacob and Emily’s story reflects so much of what this tradition is about: service, commitment and community,” said Robert J. Syron, president and CEO of Peconic Landing. “Their deep connection to the North Fork makes it especially meaningful to celebrate their marriage here at Brecknock Hall.”

Feibusch currently serves as a brigade human resources officer with the 2nd Brigade Headquarters, 78th Training Division, in Newport, Rhode Island. His military career has included assignments in network operations and movement control units.

He has received multiple military honors, including two Army Achievement Medals — one for his performance as weapons range officer in command and another for his service during Operation Freedom Shield in South Korea.

Closer to home, Feibusch owns Davy Jones Shellfish Company, a 20-acre oyster farm in Peconic Bay. He also serves on the board of the Long Island Farm Bureau and as treasurer of the Long Island Oyster Growers Association.

He credits Siegel with helping him grow his shellfish business.

Siegel teaches seventh-grade English in the Eastport-South Manor Central School District. Military service also runs in her family: Both her father and grandfather served in the U.S. Army.

The couple was selected earlier this year by a panel of Peconic Landing residents with military connections. Winners are chosen based on their years of service, military honors and personal love stories.

Feibusch and Siegel learned they had won during a surprise announcement at Peconic Landing on May 14, with relatives joining the celebration in person and via Zoom.

The Veterans Day Wedding Giveback began in 2011 as a way to recognize Long Island military personnel and thank them for their service. The contest is open to couples in which at least one partner is a current or former member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

This year’s celebration was made possible by more than two dozen local businesses and volunteers, including Amanda Lee Seely Photography, Blooms by Design, By Hand Catering, East End Events Catering, Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, North Fork Bridal Shoppe, Riverhead Flower Shop, Southold Fish Market and numerous other contributors.

Together, the donated goods and services were valued at approximately $65,000.

“Fourteen years into this tradition, the generosity of our local businesses, volunteers and supporters continues to make the Veterans Day Wedding Giveback possible,” Syron said. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who comes together to help us honor military service in such a meaningful way.”

For the newlyweds, the generosity of their North Fork neighbors made an already special occasion even more memorable.

“We are truly humbled and appreciative of the whole experience and to live here on the North Fork,” the couple said in a joint statement thanking Peconic Landing, Brecknock Hall and the participating businesses. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much!”