On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Specialist Ester Henriquez married Hasan Alpkan, a Kurd, at the historic Old Post Chapel at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia. The ceremony coincided with Newroz, the Kurdish New Year.

“Both commitments were important to me – my duty to serve and my commitment to my future husband. I didn’t want to choose one over the other, so I chose to honor both,” said Henriquez, according to a press release of the Joint Task Force in Washington, D.C.

“Hasan and I had discussed marriage prior to my departure on orders. However, we initially chose to hold off,” said Henriquez. “As Newroz – a day of significant cultural importance in his Kurdish heritage – approached,we made the intentional decision to move forward with our wedding on that date. We understood that it would coincide with the mission, but it was important for us to honor both our commitments.”

Newroz marks the Kurdish New Year and celebrates renewal and new beginnings. For Henriquez and Hasan, beginning their marriage on Newroz symbolized a new chapter in their lives while honoring the blending of their faith, families, and cultures.

Before joining the military in 2024, Henriquez volunteered internationally, building relationships across cultures. In Iraq, she spent two weeks as a volunteer project manager supporting a community outreach initiative that provided music lessons to women and children. 

Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, the interim commanding general of the National Guard in Washington, emphasized the importance of making people the core mission.

“Celebrating milestones – whether personal or professional – is at the heart of how we care for our force. This wedding, held while our teams are working around the clock to support the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, is a powerful testament to the sacrifice and commitment our soldiers show every day,” Blanchard said.