Fifty years ago, Feb. 22, 1959, Fred West and Rosamond Johnston were married at Vaughan Baptist Church in Vaughan. Together they have found a friendship, raised a family and built a beautiful marriage. On Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, they were totally surprised by their children with a celebration of this marriage. A sit down dinner was held at the Littleton Community Center catered by Robert Harris with approximately 100 guest.

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Friends and relatives attended from Georgia, Texas, Virginia and all parts of North Carolina to surprise the couple. When they arrived everyone shouted “Happy Anniversary!” Then out of nowhere appeared their grandchildren, Ben and Danielle and the youngsters’ mom, Martha from Texas. This surprise brought tears to the couple’s eyes and Rosamond said, “If my son (Dan) who is in Iraq is around the corner, I might faint.”

The party was hosted by Jim and Jenni West from Hinesville, Ga., and Dan and Martha West from Copperas Cove, Texas. Great friends who helped were Gerald and Belinda Rook, James and Charlotte Moseley, Sallie Smiley and Reba Frank.

During the meal a video of the West family’s history was shown following the couple’s life. After the meal, Fred and Rosamond were presented with an anniversary cake and a groom’s cake to cut. The couple did not have a wedding cake when they got married so this was their first cake cutting. The groom’s cake was a railroad theme with a banner across the top “All aboard for another 50 years.” Both cakes were beautiful and delicious.

The Wests are semi-retired. Fred retired from CSX railroad with 41 years of service, and still has a small herd of Angus cows he tends. Rosamond works two part-time jobs; as a tax preparer with H&R Block and a shipping clerk with Middleburg Tobacco Warehouse. They enjoy traveling in their motor home. Branson, Mo., is one of their favorite destinations; also, visiting their children and grandchildren and spending time at Emerald Isle.

The couple’s boys are both in the U.S. Army. Jim, a Lt. Col., is stationed at Ft. Stevens, Ga. He and his wife, Jenni, will be moving in May to Bozeman, Mont., where he will be in charge of ROTC Department at Montana State University. Dan, a major, is stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas. At the present time he is serving in Iraq, his second tour. Martha, his wife and twins, Ben and Danielle, are at home in Copperas Cove.

The couple would like to thank their family and all the wonderful well-wishers for their lovely cards, gifts, and their thoughts and prayers for them throughout their lives together.