Category Archives: Remembering

Young Love (#71)

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PostcardWhen July 25 finally came, Nate and I both felt it had been the longest summer of our lives. But at last, his time at Ft. Riley was winding down, and the only thing in the way of our togetherness was his graduation ceremony. I didn’t get to see him beforehand, but as I climbed into the outdoor grandstand with hundreds of others, I knew I was within a couple of hours of throwing my arms around him and delivering some of the kisses I’d saved for this day.

Families had come from all over the country, and the festivities of the morning kicked off exactly on time. Seated in row upon row of wooden bleachers, we all watched the impressive parade of cadets as they marched past us. After weeks of practice, they knew how to walk in flawless formation, paying close attention to the rhythmic calls of their commanding officers.

Cadet parade.

The program included a fire-power demonstration and other visuals that showed us what cadet training had been like for these men. All of it was impressive, but the only thing on my mind was that moment when Nate and I would connect. As interesting as the ceremony was, I was ready to climb into his VW hatch-back, close the doors, and head north to our new life together. And somewhere out on that field of military humanity, I knew Nate was thinking the same thing.

When the men were finally set free, I saw Nate split from the others and break into a run, making a bee-line for his fiancé. Kisses and hugs began happening all around us, but the only thing we knew for sure was that ours were the very sweetest.

On the way homeI was extremely proud of Nate. He had successfully completed another section of the Reserve Officer Training Corps program, a course considered to be “one of the most demanding and successful leadership programs in the country.” And within the hour, we were on our way to a brand new life!

”If I give over my body to hardship… but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:3)

Young Love (#69)

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In 1969, greeting card companies came out with a line of tall, narrow contemporary cards focused on soldiers, military life, and the loved ones at home. Each card cost 25 cents, much pricier than plain paper, so Nate and I didn’t often send them to each other.

But in one last blast of letters to hit the “Nyman mail call” at Ft. Riley, I sent 10 contemporary cards, writing my personal messages on the backs and sometimes all around the drawings inside. I wanted Company B to know that Cadet Nyman was loved a whole lot!

10 letters

Soon Nate and I would be communicating face-to-face, and though I was overjoyed at the prospect, I felt a twinge of sadness at discontinuing the back-and-forth written record of our romance. Writing to each other had been a special joy during this unique season of our relationship.

July 22, 1969 – Dearest Meg, Fiancée, future Wife, Lover, Mother. I have prayed about the upcoming year in law school, your teaching there, and for all the wedding arrangements we’ll make in August. Worry and frustration are signs of the carnal man. Having both prayed about our problems, we shouldn’t worry. I don’t feel upset about them after prayer. I know the Lord will take good care of us. I am praying about this every day.

Prayer

July 22, 1969 – Dear Nate. Our friends Carole and Reggie are on the way to my apartment as I write, to deliver my bridesmaid gown to wear in their wedding. It will be great to see them again! So that means you’ll be standing up in one wedding, and I’ll be in another – both in August. I’m wondering how we’re going to get all these days off from our counseling at the camp. The director isn’t going to be very happy about me asking for two additional days now, one for the rehearsal and one for the wedding. Well, as Doris Day sings, what will be will be.

July 21, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Tuesday night I am making a special prayer at about “lights out” time here, 10:00. Will you join me? Let’s pray at the same time about the same subjects, committing all our uncertainties to the Lord. Just 3 more days, Sweetheart. Get rested up and ready to receive an hour of hugs and kisses!

BusJuly 22, 1969 – Dear Nate. Tomorrow evening I’ll be climbing on a Greyhound bus to come to you! I’ve decided to arrive early on the day before your graduation to make sure I get there in case your commanding officer gives you extra off-base time at the last minute. I’ll be leaving Chicago on a 7:30 PM bus bound for St. Louis on July 23. In St. Louis I’ll transfer to another bus (4:30 AM, July 24), and from there will go directly to Manhattan, arriving at 10:00 AM that morning. If I can’t see you until Friday the 25th, don’t worry. I’ll be at the Holiday Inn and will be fine.

July 22, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Two more days! Hugging and kissing you will be my dream come true! I’ve made many new friends here at Ft. Riley and have determined that all servicemen need Christ. Though our suffering is little compared to His sacrifice, soldiers need faith in Him to preserve their sanity – and their place in eternity. A Christ-filled life enables a person to withstand great privation and hardship. And the Lord takes care of His own.

“I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father… I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome…” (1 John 2:14)

Young Love (#68)

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At Ft. Riley.As Nate’s summer camp neared its conclusion, he was eager to become a civilian again. But he’d been moved by the loneliness among the troops (sometimes his own), whether they were there voluntarily or not. His Army friends missed their families and homes, and Nate promised himself that after he was back “on the outside,” he wouldn’t forget them.

In Chicago, I bought an overnight bus ticket to Manhattan, Kansas, thrilled to be reuniting with my true love at last. On July 25, after graduation festivities at Ft. Riley, we planned to drive the 8 hours to his parents’ home in western Illinois for the weekend. His brother, also in the service, was stationed in Delaware, so he wouldn’t be with us. But I could get better acquainted with his folks, and the four of us could talk wedding details.

Announcement.July 20, 1969 – Dear Nathan (more from his mother). We are expecting you and Margaret to arrive here on Friday, July 25, about nine o’clock. We’ve written to all the relatives, telling them the news of your engagement. We plan to have it announced in the newspaper before you get here.

July 20, 1969 – Dear Nate. Did you get my goodie package? Have you eaten all the cookies yet? That was a double batch, by the way. I hope your cadet-mates gave you a little assistance. I’m so glad when you tell me you’ve shared what I’ve sent. I think of the guys who don’t get many letters and stuff, and they need encouragement and goodies, too.

July 20, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Your goodie package was outstanding! Thank you from me and the men of Co. B, 2nd Bn, 3rd Plt, for the cookies, gum, and chocolates. We all look forward to the “Nyman call” every day. Thanks, honey, you’re so fabulous and understanding! And when you wrote a while ago that “nobody is going to get more mail than my Nate,” I got so excited I wanted to shower you with love and provide you with whatever you wanted. I want to please you!

July 21, 1969 – Dear Nate. I just went to check the mail. Darn – no mail today because of the holiday about putting men on the moon. But it was pretty fantastic. I can’t believe our separation will be done in only 4 more days! And I hope never to be away from you for that long again!

JGoodie packageuly 21, 1969 – Dearest Meg. I’ve been thinking about friends we know who are also in the military. We’ll send letters and packages to Ron, Ken and others to keep their morale up. When I’m out of the service, I want to join the American Legion and support service clubs. People ought to remember servicemen. Meg and Nate will. We’ll snow our friends in the service with photos of our 4 papooses named after Army posts!

July 21, 1969 – Dear Nate. I just finished drawing up a complete guest list for the rehearsal dinner, which your parents are waiting for, and I’m afraid to submit it to them. Man oh man, it’s big – 58 people! I haven’t talked it over with Mom yet, though, so I may be doing it wrong. And if that’s too many, we can sit down together and eliminate a few. I’ll bring the list with me when I come. Somehow it’ll all work out, so don’t worry.

July 21, 1969 – Dearest Meg. Last night I re-read the note you included with your last goodie package. It so moved me that I got down on my knees and thanked the Lord for you. Love to you forever and ever – for eternity!

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)