[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14159]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING 65 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, it is rare these days to see one 
couple make it to 65 years of marriage. It is even more rare to see two 
couples, who are best friends, make it to that rather remarkable 
milestone at the same time. This weekend in Murdo, SD, Harold and Pat 
Thune and John and Virginia Parker will both celebrate 65 years of 
marriage.
  When Harold Thune and John Parker graduated Murdo High School 
together in the spring of 1937, neither realized how entwined their 
lives would become over time. After high school graduation John moved 
to California. Harold went on to become a basketball star at the 
University of Minnesota and then a fighter pilot during World War II. 
Harold returned to Murdo with his young wife Patricia when the war 
ended to take over the family business at the request of his father who 
was in poor health.
  It was the summer of 1951 when John returned to Murdo with his wife 
Virginia and reconnected with his high school classmate, who by this 
time had three young children. In the intervening years since high 
school, John had found real purpose in his life through his Christian 
faith. Anxious to share that faith with his high school friend, he 
began a small Bible study in that summer of 1951. Through that Bible 
study, first Pat, then Harold made a profession of faith that has 
served as their life's foundation to this day. They would be the first 
to tell you that it is hard to imagine them celebrating this blessed 
occasion absent that life-changing experience.
  We honor both couples on this occasion of 65 years of marriage, for 
staying true to their God, to each other, and to their families. Their 
example of steadfast commitment and devotion is a powerful witness and 
inspiration to those who have come after about what a Christian 
marriage should be. Congratulations to the Parkers and the Thunes on 
this milestone 65th wedding anniversary.

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