Anniversary

Sixty-two years ago today, September 15, 1943, my parents were married. Both were in the Army and stationed at Camp Butner, North Carolina.

They had met three months earlier in the camp library where Mom was the librarian. Mom was engaged to another man at the time. Dad had returned from leave and was astounded to find a new librarian. He had become friendly with the former (male) librarian and kept his stationery in the librarian's desk. He said "hello" and went to the librarian's desk to get his stationery to write a letter home and let his folks know he got back to camp safely.

Mom was outraged (Dad's words) to find this fresh (her words) soldier using her desk without asking! When she asked another WAC, she was told, "Oh, that's just Oley. He's okay." ("okay" meaning he was a good guy, not "okay" meaning merely acceptable). It took a few weeks, but he finally convinced her first, that he was more than just "okay", and second that she should break her engagement and marry him. Fast worker, my Dad.

Anyway, after calls to and from the Pentagon to get permission to marry and how to marry, and what to wear, and the whole nine yards, they finally tied the knot in an evening ceremony at the base chapel.

Everything had to go through the Pentagon because they were apparently the first WAC and soldier to be married. At least according to the NY Times, which carried an article about the event. I really should check their archives and get a print of the article if it's available.

If I ever get my scanner working, I'll post their wedding picture.