There's a new LeGrand in the family-Sondra Ann, age 22, 5"5", 125 lb. We were married in an extraordinary ceremony on Saturday June 13th. Now we're on a short honeymoon on the Bay of Bengal at a place called Mahablipuram. Since you couldn't be at the wedding, we want to try to give you a detailed account.

The preparations were not as harried s in America but they still presented problems. Since we had no family here to arrange everything, we were ultimately responsible for everything. But we couldn't have done it without the help-p of our friends both in Musiri and Trichy.

The activities began with a shower on Thursday. It was given by a Peace Corps girl in Trichy. Then on Friday, there was a dinner and party in Trichy for close friends. Finally on Saturday. The big event arrived. But first back to Thursday. I didn't attend the shower so I will let Sandy (Sondra) tell you about

Since a shower is a typical American custom, Indian friends here were a bit confused over Thursday's happening. However, with the help of the Peace Corps girls, it was a grand success. About 10 women all sat around and talked. Women love to talk! After a while we had "tiffin": cake, sweets and more sweets. WOW! What great useful presents. I received beautiful linen, handloom bed spreads, a bucket and dipper (for taking Indian baths, honey and catsup (luxuries for me) a sandwich toaster, placements, napkin holders, a scrub brush clothespins and more. Looks like I will be quite busy! The best gift of all was a beautiful silver peacock presented to Mr. and Mrs. Roger by the Servites (Catholic Order of Priests, in Trichy. All in all we women had a good time. It was a good experiment in cultural exchange plus a good opportunity for Roger and me to receive useful items for our new house.

While Sandy was at the shower, I was at home trying to check out the details for Saturday. They were all left in the capable hands of my friends, Dr. and Mrs. Rajagopal in Musiri.

Then on Friday I went to Trichy (Sandy had stayed overnight with her maid of honor, Susan Lane). On Friday night we had a nice dinner at the Trichinopoly Club. About 20 friends were there. All of the people from my Peace Corps group had come plus some English and Indian friends from Musiri, Trichy Mangalore and Madras. We had a nice dinner, the food was excellent. Afterwards we adjourned to Susan Lane's house in Trichy. Her patio was decorated beautifully with colored lights. It reminded Sandy and others of Christmas at home. There we had dinner and dancing. It was great fun! We returned home with Dr. and Mrs. Rajagopal at about 1:30a.m.

Saturday was the big day. Musiri had been awaiting this event with great fervor. I went to see Sandy in the morning and I learned how great the fervor was when I met a bullock card driver whom I had never seen. He grinned at me through his betel-stained teeth and spurted one word"marriage". At that moment I knew it would be no "ordinary" wedding.

We had a rehearsal in the morning and then we went our separate ways. Sandy was sequestered with Mrs. Rajagopal while I busied myself by entertaining the training school staff at a "bachelor lunch".

Time rolled on and five o'clock approached. Sandy dressed at the Rajagopals amidst a crowd of friends from out of town. I dressed alone in my house. At 4:30a.m. I joined her for pictures. Meanwhile we were awaiting word that the Catholic Church was ready. At a little past five we got into cars and headed for Church. In our car, the best man, Frank Fairchild, and our maid of honor, Susan Lane (Shome) and burst into a spontaneous chorus of "get me to the Church on Time". It helped sooth everyone's nerves. (Sandy recommends it for all weddings.)

The entire town of Musiri cheered our arrival at the Church gates. You wouldn't have believed the crowd. The ceremony was in the courtyard because the Church was too small. The whole courtyard was jam-packed and the crowds surged across the street to the houses. Even the balconies of the houses were packed. It was very exciting. We were led into the Church by a traditional Indian band while the crowds cheered. The Mass began. After the Gospel we exchanged wedding vows. As we exchanged rings, the Church bells rand, the band sounded and the crowds burst out in spontaneous cheering.

It was overwhelming! After Communion, the crowds began to surge towards us. It was sort of like the end of a championship football game when the crowds try to get on the field. I really didn't think the priest would be able of finish Mass but somehow he did.

At that point we were pelted with rice and showered with confetti. The throngs a rushed forward. We were embrace, garlanded, and congratulated from all sides.

Finally we were led to the reception hall which was right next to the Church. The guests came up to us offering gifts. We cut the wedding cake and had light tiffin. They had some children dance and it was nice. Meanwhile outside, the teeming horde was entertained by the band. After a short while we fought our way to a waiting car and left the Church. What an experience! We changed at the Rajagopals and left for our honeymoon that night. Instead of the usual third class train ride, were given first class tickets as a gift four the Peace Corps Volunteers. We slept on separate berths that night. one right above the other holding hands.

The wedding is still quite vivid in our minds. We wish you could have seen the festivities. It was a tremendously democratic wedding. All castes and classes were represented. The guests included: priests, doctors, an English minister, nurses, business men, shopkeepers, bankers, government officials teachers, students, farmers, servants, dhobis(laundry men),bullock cart drivers, coolies, beggars, hotel owners, peons, and vendors who did a thriving business outside Sacred Heart Church. The whole affair was really incredible.

We should have some good pictures. We wish it could have been put on film just to capture the whole incredible happening.

Without certain friends, the wedding wo0uld have never been possible. Two of my friends from Musiri, Dr. and Mrs. Rajagopal, took care of all the arrangements in Musiri. The Musiri sisters and some teachers decorated the Church and hall. The maid of honor, Susan Lane organized everything in Trichy. A hotel owner, a Muslim, named Haroon, came all the way from from Bangalore and organized the mechanics of the wedding and reception. Mrs. Rajagopal was like a mother to Sandy.

She even wept at the wedding. We could go and on, but we will let the pictures talk. It will take some time for them to be processed but you will get them.

As for now, we're both incredibly happy. Our honeymoon is very short since school is starting. We expect to have a wonderful year in Musiri. The only thing we lacked at the wedding was our families. We wish you could have experienced such a striking event. We hope that this letter will help you understand it somewhat. We thank you for your help in make it possible. Hope everything is well there. This year will undoubtedly pass quickly and soon we will see you.

Love,

Bill (Roger) and Sandy (Sondra) LeGrand!!!!!!

In January 2004 Roger and Sondra and their two daughters, Julia and Erica returned to India to see long-time friends in Musiri and Sacred Heart Church. Our friends there still remember us and were excited to meet our daughters. We reminisced with fond thoughts and dreams come true. Now our whole family has experienced the richness and mystery of India. Thirty-seven years and 8 trips later, we still have contact with Dr. and Mrs. Lalitha Rajagopal. We have continued with our Peace Corps friends and celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with them. India has remained a life changing experience for all of us and will continue to be an incredible experience.

Roger W. LeGrand named (Bill by the family since his Dad's name was Roger) is a Tax Appeals Commissioner for the State of Wisconsin after a distinguished career of County Court Commissioner, District Attorney, and Circuit Court Judge for La Crosse County in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His public service, both legal and social has spanned over 30 years. Roger taught English as a Second Language at a Basic Boy's Training School in a village called Musiri, along the Cauvery River in TamilNadu, South India. He was the only volunteer assigned to Musiri which was about an hour's bus ride to Trichy.

However in 1968 had to petition the Peace Corps to allow his potential wife, Sandy (Sondra) to be married in Musiri. This process took about a year. Peace Corps officials then granted the permission and allowed Sandy (Sondra) to join Roger. They officially called her a "non-matrix spouse". He never did figure out what that really meant!

Sondra LeGrand, nicknamed (Sandy Altomare), is a retired Special Education teacher in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She is involved with the YWCA, and the Hunter Task Force, and serves on the board of Serve Wisconsin (Americorps, VISTA, Senior Corps). Through the local Rotary Club she has been involved with Tsunami relief projects serving a small fishing village called Sirkali, TamilNadu, India. Along with an International Elementary School she partnered with a class to help with her Tsunami relief projects. The students raised money to buy sports equipment for a Government/Home School for orphans in Sirkali. After delivering the equipment to the orphanage, she compiled a book with the survival stories of those young girls. Proceeds will go to an Educational Trust Fund for the young women for education administered by the Mid-town Salem Rotary Club.