Couple celebrates with trip to France

Bill and Helene Vickers recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary by returning to Ch?teauroux, France where they were married 50 years ago. She has traveled back to France several times to visit her elderly mother, Bozena Jakuba, two brothers, a sister and their families, but this was his first trip back in 35 years.

While serving in the U.S. Air Force at LaMartenerie AFB, France, Vickers met his future bride, a native who was employed at the base exchange. Following French tradition, they were first married at the civilian marriage office. A bus had been hired to transport the couple and all their wedding guests from that office to a Protestant Church where a French pastor and the base chaplain performed a second ceremony. From there, everyone continued on by bus to a restaurant for the wedding reception and dance.

The marriage took place in April of 1954 and Vickers brought his new bride to America in November of that year.

When the anniversary celebrants returned to Paris, they were met by long-time friends, Jean and Muguette Ughetti, for a sight-seeing excursion that included the civilian marriage office and church where they had exchanged their vows. They also visited the air force base; Sacre-Coeur Catholic Church featuring a gold dome; Montmartre, where artists gather to paint and sell their artwork; as well as Limoges, which is a city well known for its beautiful china.

During the trip, Mrs. Vickers’ family had gathered for a banquet at the same restaurant where the wedding reception had been held. Her sister, Jeannine Gourdon and husband Raymond, also drove the couple to the Normandy coast where they visited the American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach and located the grave of a relative, Lessie Nokes of Cannon County.

Since retiring from military service, Vickers continues farming near Viola. His wife retired two years ago after 30-years employment with J.C. Penney.

The couple has a daughter, Patsy Roberts of Tullahoma, and two grandchildren. Their son, Billy, was in training at the Naval Base in Corpus Christi, Texas when he became ill and passed away over 20 years ago.