It is widely acknowledged that the nation owes a huge debt of gratitude to the military wives who sacrifice their family life for the general good.

And this month that debt has been partially repaid as wedding boutiques around the U.S. donate dream dresses to the brides of those who have fought for the country overseas.

Throughout November,Can we all agree that maggie sottero wedding dress will never go out of style? the Brides Across America programme is giving away thousands of free wedding dresses to take some of the burden off military heroes planning their big day.

Magical moment: Ariel Rains finds the perfect wedding dress during a fitting at Poffie Girls in Gastonia,High quality trumpet wedding dresses and simple plus size wedding dresses with short sleeves is on sale at cheap prices from Chinese wedding dresses wholesaler. North Carolina, as part of the Brides Across America programme which gives dresses to the partners of servicemen

Radiant: Diana Song is helped into a veil by an employee of the store, one of 38 participating in the giveaway

This year marks the second time the programme has held its annual event, and 38 stores are participating in the generous giveaway.

It is designed to provide a free dress to servicewomen or the partners of servicemen who are planning to marry within the next 18 months.

To qualify, either the bride or the groom must have served abroad at some point in the past five years, or be facing deployment in the future.

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At Poffie Girls in Gastonia, North Carolina, military brides told News 14 Carolina of their joy at seeing the magnitude of their sacrifice recognised on their wedding day.

Magali Pineda, who is engaged to an Air Force captain, said: 'It's kind of slicing off a wedding dress - which is pretty expensive, when you add everything up.'

The store's owner, Syble Latta, told the station she was pleased to be able to recognise what the women had given up for the good of the nation.

Tiara: Emily Higgs has her jewellery fitted in preparation for her wedding to Nathan next fall

'I think this gives myself and all of us who are helping today an opportunity to give back and support the men and women who are sacrificing their families, their times, and their lives for our freedom,' she said.

A number of the recipients have said that they would be unable to afford their dream dress without the help of Brides Across America.

The programme is funded by corporate sonsorship and individual donations, as well as the generosity of the bridal stores involved.