John Cook and Waverly Cole are doing what they've been doing for 50 years -- traveling, enjoying the company of friends and giving to charitable causes.

Cook, an 88-year-old retired teacher and school counselor, and Cole, a 78-year-old retired physician, are poised to celebrate their 50th anniversary April 15 with a cocktail party among friends. At last week's Servicemembers Legal Defense Network dinner in Washington, the two were recognized on stage for reaching their Golden Anniversary.

Cook and Cole are both military veterans. Cook served in the Army during World War II and was among the troops that liberated France from Nazi control. Cole was drafted in 1955 and served in the Army medical corp in Germany.

Cook later received a doctorate in human letters and led guidance and counseling services for the Virginia Department of Education. Cole went on to become a professor of anesthesiology and president of the Virginia Society of Anesthesiology.

Cook and Cole have also been key donors to LGBT organizations, Virginia area universities, churches, museums and animal shelters.

All of this and they are still considered by some to be second class citizens and unworthy of marriage. (There home state of Virginia has passed some of the most anti-gay laws in the country in recent years.) Meanwhile Pamela Anderson who is famous for nothing more than her plastic surgery enhanced physique has been able to marry and divorce three times.

And, I am sure that Anderson will marry and likely divorce again.