Greensburg —
Last Saturday, James and Zelma (Tichenor) Barnes renewed their wedding vows after 70 years.
According to Activities Associate Alli Hountz, the Barnes’ had been neighbors since they were young children.
While James Barnes was in basic training for the Navy during World War Two, he sent Zelma a letter asking her to marry him. Zelma accepted, and while James was home from the military for two days, the couple wed.
The next day, James was stationed on board the USS South Dakota, which would eventually shoot down 32 Japanese planes during Pearl Harbor.
The couple never had a honeymoon or a traditional wedding ceremony. Aspen Place surprised the pair by announcing they’d finally have a proper celebration of their long-lasting love and marriage.
“Zelma was just beside herself because she never got to have a nice wedding,” said Houtz.
“You have been through wars and rumors of wars,” said the Barnes’ grandson, pastor John Porter of the Community Church of Greensburg, who officated.
The couple quietly shed tears, their love reaffirmed, as the pastor spoke before an assembly of family, friends and other Aspen Place residents.
Trilogy, Aspen Place’s main office, allows its retirement homes to stage one large event every year as part of the “Live a Dream” program, which grants resident wishes.
“They didn’t ask for it,” said Houtz, “but as everyone got to know them and talked to them about their lives, we decided we wanted to really do this for them.”
While there may be no great secret for staying together for so long, Houtz had this to say about the couple Aspen Place has come to know and love: “They’re just one of those rare couples; it’s like they’re a young couple that’s dating. That’s the way they are with each other.”
Aspen Place went to local businesses to help stock the wedding, including Circle Printing, which provided invitations, A Piece of Cake, which donated a wedding cake, Houtz Concrete, which donated money for decorations, Expression Florists and Gifts, which donated flowers, Goodies, which offered a discount on James’ tuxedo, and the Aspen Place staff, who donated various odds and ends. Mike Reverman, director of plant operations, did the photography and video.
Contact: Tess Rowing 812-663-3111 x7004
News
Related Photos
-
Zelma and James Barnes renewed their marriage vows after 70 years of marriage. Tess Rowing
Couple renew marriage vows after 70 years
- News
-
-
Kids and horses find purpose at Triple R
With a little over a week remaining in the 2012-2013 school year, Wednesday was a day for “horsing around” for Greensburg Junior High School (GJHS) students participating in the school’s “Unbridled Potential” program at Triple R Equine Rescue.
-
Relay for Life team spotlight: The McCullough Clan
Hundreds of Greensburg residents have walked in the Relay for Life in the 15 years since it began in Decatur County, and most residents at least know what it is, but what isn’t always known is what motivates each team.
-
Optimist Club honors Reece
If the late “Godfather of Soul” has a Decatur County counterpart, members of the Greensburg Optimist Club might well say it’s Oris Reece.
-
Community garden hoping to sow seeds of self-sufficiency
Oris Reece believes in the old adage that “teaching a man to fish” is a far better option than simply giving him (or her) one.
-
Overturned anhydrous tank diverts traffic
Traffic was held up for between 30 and 45 minutes Wednesday afternoon at Highway 46 and 421 near downtown due to a single-single vehicle accident involving a truck on eastbound on 46.
-
Historical Society to host ice cream social Saturday
The Decatur County Historical Society (DCHS) is planning to host an ice cream social from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 25.
-
Mayor proclaims EMS appreciation week in Decatur County
Last week, Greensburg Mayor Gary Herbert made a proclamation that May 19 to 25 would be EMS appreciation week in Decatur County, in conjunction with national EMS appreciation week.
-
EMA director talks changes in wake of tornado anniversary
When a tornado ripped through Greensburg May 25, 2011, Rob Duckworth didn’t work for the Decatur County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
-
Library to kick off summer reading program in renovated building
-
Woman arrested on drug-related charges
- More News Headlines
-
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
