OLYMPIA, WASH. (AP) -- Two retired military women who fought for the rights of gays in the military were among the hundreds of couples who received their marriage licenses this week as Washington state's voter-approved law allowing same-sex marriage took effect.

Former Air Force flight nurse Maj. Margaret Witt, of Spokane, and retired nurse, Army Col. Grethe Cammermeyer, of Whidbey Island, both successfully challenged the military's ban on open service by gays and lesbians. They were first in line on Thursday in their home counties to receive their licenses with their partners as the law took effect.

Because the state has a three-day waiting period, the earliest that weddings can take place is Sunday. Cammermeyer will marry Diane Divelbess, her partner of 24 years, at their home in Langley on Sunday. Witt will marry her partner of nine years, Laurie Johnson, on Dec. 15 in Spokane.

AP-WF-12-08-12 1748GMT