Torrejon AFB, Madrid Spain 1960's: 4th of July

Military families, stationed in the 1960's at Torrejon AFB Spain, made the 4^th of July an occasion to remember. We didn't always spend the day the same way, but we knew whatever we did, it would include our neighbors and friends. No one had extended family close-by.

I remember 3 different ways our family spent the 4^th of July while we lived in Spain.

Torrejon AFB Celebration

Some years, we attended a huge celebration at Torrejon AFB. For kids, spending the 4^th on base was like a dream come true. We could have all the hamburgers, hot dogs, and ice-cream we wanted, for free! I remember the great smells coming from the grills and eating too many ice cream bars covered with multi-colored sprinkles.

The day included an air show by the famous Thunderbirds, patriotic music provided by Air Force bands, swimming at the base pools, carnival- like games, sack races, and then re-charging with more free food! A huge fireworks display ended the celebration. We fervently celebrated America's independence and being American. It was a blast!

A Day at the Pool

Most families stationed at Torrejon lived in a military housing community called Royal Oaks. Sometimes we spent the 4^th at the Royal Oaks community pool. Anyone who has ever lived at Royal Oaks can tell happy stories originating from the pool. We spent entire days there all summer long. The pool sat at the bottom of a hill. Grass covered slopes and green leafy trees bordered all around it. A snack bar, run by Spanish cooks, was next to the entrance. When we got hungry, we could buy "hamburguesas," and "patatas fritas" (hamburgers and fried potatoes) . The potatoes were fried in Spanish olive oil and were served in paper. We drank Coca Cola or Spain's famous "gaseosa." We'd eat and swim, all day long, until they put us out at sundown.

Tail Gate Party

One year, several families planned a "tail gate" party in the mountains, alongside a mountain creek. Every family brought homemade foods: fried chicken, or sandwiches, chips, potato salad, beans and lots of desserts. Those with station wagons opened the back and set a table. Others brought a card table and chairs. We snacked on each others' food, splashed each other in the knee-deep water, and hiked into the woods. Spending the day in the mountains was cool and refreshing. Sweet relief from summer sun.

Fireworks

The one activity that never changed from year-to-year was fireworks at home! We didn't have a formal display in our neighborhood. We had a bunch of frenzied 4^th of July enthusiasts (teenagers) shooting them off all at the same time. Talk about drama! Every time fireworks went up, we were showered with sticks, live embers, ash, and paper. No one knew where, when, or how many would come down at a time. We couldn't see the sticks at night. If the wind blew, so did the debris. It was scary, but fun. Sometimes, the field or someone's roof would catch on fire. I don't ever remember a fire that got out of control. Someone always managed to put them out.

I'd love to do it all again. Life in Madrid, Spain, in the 1960's, was full of fun and adventure. The 4^th of July was no exception. We celebrated our country's independence with gratitude, exuberance and just enough craziness to make Spain's 4th of July stories fun to tell.