Marianne the Cadet Nurse (Continued)

There were so many students there was not enough room in the dormitories for them all. Five of the best students moved into rooms at the Sorrento Hotel, which was an outstanding hotel. Part of Marianne's education included three months at a mental facility. She went to Western State Hospital at Steilacoom, near Tacoma. About once a week the patients would attend an assembly where there was entertainment and singing. They would quickly request a very popular song of the day "Don't Fence Me In", which brought a few smiles.

Marianne's class was supposed to attend a class that many considered to be boring and nearly all said they were going to skip the class. There were only three or four nurses who showed up for the class; Marianne was one of them. Then came the thunder; the school took away all privileges for those who skipped class, which included leave and outside activities. The school also made an allowance that provided for students to marry! Marianne sent a telegram asking me to call her and said we should take this opportunity to be married as soon as possible! I called her back and we set up my next liberty, Saturday, 5 Feb 1944 as the date to be married. One worry; the wedding band was at the jewelers in Spokane. Oh well, where there is a problem there is a way! I was to meet Marianne at the Greyhound Bus Depot. She was all set to take the bus for an all night trip Friday evening. We would "wing it" the rest of the way.