Get me to the Temple on time

Mesa Arizona Temple

September 15, 1944

With World War II in full swing and my Dad in Flight School preparing to become a pilot in the Air Force, my parents decided to get married. Mom was eighteen and Dad was twenty two. Times were scary and money was tight but they knew they wanted to be married before Dad left for the South Pacific. When the time came to set their wedding date they found out that the Mesa Temple was closed for repairs but would open for one day in September....the 15th.
Dad asked his flight instructor if he could have the day off so he could get married. His instructor told him that he was scheduled to take his final flight test that very morning and if he passed it he would not only give him the afternoon off but Saturday and Sunday as well. The test took longer than anticipated but he passed with flying colors and was quickly off to catch the bus back to Mesa. Dad's heart sank when he realized he had missed the one and only bus back into town, but true to John Rae fashion he wasn't about to get discouraged, so he stuck out his thumb and started walking with high hopes he would make it back in time.
Pretty soon an ambulance pulled up and the man inside said...."hop in." When Dad described his dilemma the driver flipped on the siren and away they sped all the way to my Grandparents house.

Knowing that my Dad was in the air taking his final test that morning, you can imagine the look on my mother, her parents and sibling's faces as they rushed out to the front porch. Lights flashing and siren's blaring they stood there horrified, then watched my Dad hop out of the ambulance, salute the driver, and with a big smile on his face.... turn and walk towards his beautiful young Bride:)

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! Thanks for being the best parents anyone could ever hope for.
I love you!