Our Marriage

On the 1st of May, 1971 Barbara Ann married me at the Naval Hospital Chapel in Pensacola, Florida. The ceremony was officiated by LCDR David G. Page, CHC, USN. The ever present witnesses were Harry Miller and Patricia Nelson. Two good friends from the Naval Hospital where Barbara and I worked.

She didn't want to marry me but I can be persuasive. Barbara finally agreed to the marriage and we were happy together for over 37 years. We lived in several places, but never more happy than then. The happiness was broken by the discovery of ovarian cancer on the 7th of July 2005, just under one week before her birthday. I still observe her birthday but now it is by going to her graveside in East Tennessee. Each 12th of July will find me talking to her for as long as I am able.

Not all was happiness though. I missed the growing up and marriage of my two sons. I was married to their mother but we were young then and war changes many people. She and I lost a daughter on October 3, 1966. I was in Vietnam then and grew very hateful and resentful of everything. I cannot change the past. I married Barbara Ann happily and willingly -- nothing can change that.