Broken Arrow Couple Celebrates 65 Years Of Marriage

Thursday, December 7th 2006, 9:53 am

By: News On 6

65 years ago Thursday, a surprise attack forced the United States into World War II. While memorials across the country mark the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, one Broken Arrow couple remembers it as the beginning of their life-long love.

News on 6 anchor Terry Hood says it wasn't the reason they got married, but it was the reason they married when they did.

After the attack, Floyd Renfro knew service to his country was inevitable. So before he could be called up, Floyd cooked up a plan to run off with the love of his life, 15-year-old Mary Reid. Floyd and Mary met a justice of the peace for a secret wedding. Just a few months later, Floyd was in the Air Force, bouncing around military installations stateside, until he was deployed to the Pacific for the final four months of the war.

Floyd served as a messenger with the 509th Composite Wing, the group that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan.

Through it all, he says he has just one regret. "I didn't wait and let her have a church wedding like she would have wanted and like most girls want, I've regretted that a lot of times, but the way things turned out, I can't say I have any deep regrets. I don't have anything left to do before I go on to glory."

Needless to say, Mary's parents weren't thrilled about Floyd marrying their little girl. Angry in-laws couldnâ€™t slow down this 65 year marriage.

Mary tells the News on 6, they're now shooting for 70.