67 Years After Proposal, Sligo Couple Celebrates at Library of Congress

Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos courtesy the Macks and the Library of Congress

More than 67 years after their proposal in the stacks of the Library of Congress (LOC), Sylvia and Erwin Mack recently celebrated again in the library with their friends and family.

While visiting Washington, D.C., in 1952, Erwin, his family and his then-girlfriend, Sylvia, toured the Jefferson Building of the LOC. While visiting, Erwin and Sylvia snuck in a little alone time, and he proposed. Two years later, they married.

Wanting to celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary with their four children who would be in town, Erwin worked with LOC staff to arrange a tour and gathering with family and friends. Sylvia, who thought only family were invited, was surprised to see the many friends who also attended the festivity.

LOC staff gave the group a special tour, while Erwin (pictured below), a Korean War veteran, shared his story with LOC staff as part of the Veterans History Project. (Click here for information on the interview.)

The Macks have been members of Potomac Conference’s Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md., for some 42 years. Erwin, who has been head elder for the last 10 years, is also happy to serve as “historian” of the church.