Zene and Eleanor Gergen will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on Dec. 29, 2016.

Ellie and Zene met at a USO dance in 1955 while he was stationed in the Coast Guard at Avery Point, Groton.

Zene was then stationed in the Philippines for a year and upon his return, he was once again stationed at Avery Point as an instructor.

They are the parents of five children, Tim, Chris (deceased), Adam, Robyn and Lori, and have seven wonderful grandchildren.

Zene retired from the New London School System. He was dean of boys at NLHS and was a special education teacher at Bennie Dover Middle School. Ellie retired from T.J.Maxx and also The City of Groton politics, serving 33 years on the planning and zoning board, was a city counselor and served on the zoning board of appeals. Ellie also served for 20 years as a moderator and master moderator for the Town of Groton.

Their 60 years remind them of the lyrics to the song “Memories”. Every once in a while, you want to look back to “the way we were”.