World War II vet, 95, marries his 67-year-old partner, a Vietnam vet, in their senior home's first gay ceremony - but not all residents were thrilled with the union

First kiss: John Banvard, left, and his partner Gerard Nadeau, right, got married few days ago at their                                        home in Chula Vista, California




 An elderly military couple married at their veterans home yesterday in the center's first gay ceremony.95-year-old World War II veteran John Banvard, married his partner, 67-year-old Gerard Nadeau, who served in Vietnam. The two have been together for 20 years, but had to wait until the recent Supreme Court decision to legally tie the knot.
First kiss: John Banvard, left, and his partner Gerard Nadeau, right, got married yesterday at their veterans home in Chula Vista, California
At last: The wedding was small and simple and attended by some of their friends at the veterans home At last: The wedding was small and simple and attended by some of their friends at the veterans home

Married: The couple said they had to wait for the Supreme Court decision to legally marry

They moved to the veterans home in Chula Vista, California three years ago and decided to hold the ceremony there, among their friends. The ceremony was small and simple. After exchanging vows, the two men were sealed with a kiss. It was something we wanted to do for a long time,' Mr Banvard told 10 News.

Their ceremony, however, wasn't completely welcomed by the rest of the home's residents. Facility director Neal Asper told Fox 5 San Diego that news of the gay ceremony was 'somewhat controversial'.




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