Subject: Larry/Linda Smith Rager musings
Date: Sat, 20 Jul 2002 19:36:56 -0500
To:ALL

Larry and I have really enjoyed all the memory input. Todd, you win our nomination for the classmate least likely to contract Alzheimer's.

One memory which still amuses me is Miss Pochard's assertion that girls could not wear patent leather flats because the boys could see under our skirts in the shiny reflection.

One of our post PHS memories revolves around Viet Nam. We were planning to marry on August 29, 1965. On August 26 President Johnson announced that all men not married before midnight of the 26th would be forevermore single in regard to the draft. On the afternoon of the 26th my minister from First Presbyterian called and asked me if all of our paper work was ready for the ceremony on the 29th. As it was, indeed, in place, he strongly urged us to get married on the 26th in a civil ceremony and then again in church on the 29th, just in case it ever mattered. Larry's parents and younger sister were already in Peoria from Houston so all of our parents joined Larry and me at Judge Hunt's house for a brief civil ceremony. We returned to my parent's home for a toast. Larry's parents left, my mother went to bed, but my father took me aside and said "Just because you are legally married the real wedding isn't until..." Daddy did not retire until Larry left. On our wedding night I shared a bed with my younger sister, and back at the hotel Larry did the same. We were "chaperoned" until the 29th. The kicker came a year later after graduation from the University of Texas. Larry tried to enlist but was declared 4F due to having only half a stomach following surgery a few years before. They gave him the "Thanks, but no thanks" salute.

We look forward to seeing everyone.

Linda Rager