Many Wartime Unions Do Endure
Dear Ann Landers: Are you still interested in how-we-met letters? I have one that is a bit out of the ordinary.
I was assigned to an Army base in Oklahoma near the end of World War II. The first Sunday I attended church services, there were so few of us that the chaplain suggested we all sit on the same side and sing hymns. The soldier who sat behind me knew all the words to every song. I figured anyone who knew all those lyrics to church songs couldn’t be all bad.
I got a glimpse of him when the services were over and bumped into him again a month later. I learned he was a doctor. I was a special services hostess who planned entertainment for the enlisted men.
Three months after that, I slipped on an icy walk and injured my arm. He treated me, insisted that I stay in the infirmary and made twice-daily visits to see how I was doing. He discharged me Jan. 10 and asked if I’d like to see a movie to celebrate my recovery.
On Feb. 10, we had a church wedding in that same chapel where we first met. We had one day off to get our license, the rings and my wedding dress. My employees, who were German POWs, offered to bake our wedding cake and serve our reception in their starched whites with “POW” stamped on the back. The dining table was covered with a white bed sheet and decorated with ribbons.
We were married 43 years and had three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren - all of whom miss him very much. Sign me - Wonderful Memories in Grand Prairie, Texas
Dear Grand: Thank you for sharing your beautiful love story. I’ve often wondered why so many of those World War II marriages between people who didn’t know each other very well lasted so long. I still don’t know the answer.
Dear Ann Landers: I was married in January 1996. My husband and I separated approximately three months after the wedding. We received a great many lovely wedding gifts and decided to split them up according to whose friends and family members sent them.
My question is this, Ann: Since we were married such a short time, should those gifts have been returned to the givers? We’ve had a variety of opinions and have decided to abide by your decision. - No Name, No City, Please
Dear N.N.N.C.P.: Opinions from friends won’t do. You need the guidance of an authority. According to Letitia Baldridge, who writes the Amy Vanderbilt etiquette books, “No matter how brief the marriage, the gifts belong to the couple.”
Dear Ann Landers: Those tales you’ve printed about birds reminded me of a story that the source assured me is true.
A distinguished gentleman bought a beautiful parrot as a birthday present for his wife, despite the warnings of the pet store owner that the bird had an extensive repertoire of foul language cultivated during the years he lived in a brothel.
One evening, the parrot was the center of attention when the couple threw a birthday party for an elegant woman friend. Everyone tried to elicit a few words from the bird, but he remained silent with his eyes closed. All of a sudden, the parrot opened his eyes and announced authoritatively, “I know all the gentlemen here, but the hookers are new to me!”
I hope your readers enjoy this true story, and I trust I haven’t offended anyone. - A Bird Watcher in British Columbia
Dear Bird Watcher: I’m sure most of my readers have heard worse. Thanks for a good laugh.