Happy 50th Anniversary, Laura & Gary!

Around the first Monday in June 1968, Laura reported for work as a junior executive with US civil service at the Naval Station Pass and ID Office in Key West, Florida. She arrived early and sequestered herself in a storage room near the office because she was so shy. There was chatter and laughter coming from the next office for the US Naval Station Master at Arms. Someone turned on the light. Laura peeked over to see Gary walking by carrying a mattress under his arm. Because of the light, Laura thought that he was undressed! Gary said, “It appears as you have caught me at a lesser moment!” Laura gasped and Gary proceeded to walk out of the office to his quarters. The scene provided many good laughs for the guards and office personnel! During the next few weeks, Gary and Laura struck up several conversations about Gary’s naval travels. Soon Laura was informed that she would be transferred to the Shore Patrol Office. She intended to resign at the end of the assignment to return to FSU. On her last day, Gary asked her for a date, but Laura had a boyfriend. She told Gary she would let him know, but avoided him instead. She left in a carpool with other female coworkers for the clockout hut. Gary drove into the hut, going the wrong way, blocking the exit. He pointed to Laura and said, “I want to speak to that young lady there!” The cat calls were very loud! Laura got out of her friend’s car and into the car with Gary. Then, she tearfully tried to explain why she could not date him. His response was, “Look, I don’t want to marry you. I just want to take you to dinner and a movie.” Laura went home knowing she had to breakup with her college sweetheart. Gary called his mother to tell her he had just been out with girl he was going to marry! In September, Gary proposed over the phone. He asked Laura what her expenses would be. Then, he said, “I believe I can afford that, so let’s get married!” Laura said, ”Yes,” and they got married the following year, June 15, 1969.