[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF STANLEY AND VIRGINIA SZEJNAR

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                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2015

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 70th 
wedding anniversary of Stanley and Virginia Szejnar, of Hanover, 
Massachusetts. The Szejnars celebrate seventy years of marriage on 
Wednesday, July 29, 2015.
  Stanley and Virginia's story is one of romance, dedication, and 
patience. Their love has endured from Quincy, Massachusetts to the high 
seas of the Pacific theater; Norfolk, Virginia to Hanover, 
Massachusetts. Born in Buffalo, New York, Stanley was stationed at the 
U.S. Naval Air Station in South Weymouth, Massachusetts during the 
early years of World War II. It was during this time, in 1941, that he 
was nervously set up on a blind date with Virginia by her friend and, 
later, maid of honor. After meeting in the town of Quincy, a trip for 
ice cream was followed by a long walk--the start of many more dates and 
conversations to come.
  As their relationship blossomed, Stanley learned that he was being 
transferred to the newly commissioned USS Ticonderoga. He asked 
Virginia to come with him to Norfolk, Virginia, where the aircraft 
carrier was docked, and stay at the local USO. When Virginia returned 
home to Boston, she excitedly called her mother with a joyous 
announcement: she and Stanley were engaged to be married. Shortly 
thereafter, Stanley shipped out on the USS Ticonderoga. During his time 
at war, during which Stanley survived severe damage to the Ticonderoga 
and a deployment on the Navy destroyer, USS Dyers, Stanley and Virginia 
stayed in close contact. They may have been separated by oceans between 
them, but their love remained strong.
  Upon his return, Stanley and Virginia were at last married in 1945. 
They spent their honeymoon enjoying the mists and impressive waterfalls 
at Niagara Falls near Stanley's hometown. Following the end of the war, 
they moved to Hanover, Massachusetts where they reside today. A proud 
veteran, Stanley is the former commander of the Post #149 American 
Legion and V.F.W. #178804, as well as a retired member of the Local 
#537 Pipe Fitters Union. After more than seventy years of love, their 
most precious gift and proudest achievements are their daughter, 
Candace Finnie, and granddaughter, Ericka, who live in Ocala, Florida.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Stanley and Virginia Szejnar on the 
joyous occasion of their 70th anniversary. I ask that my colleagues 
join me in wishing them many more years of happiness.

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