Torrejon AFB, Madrid, Spain 1960's Military Kid's Life
Military "Kids" Cherish Memories from Madrid, Spain
From the daytime sky, Spain's landscape looked like a welcoming patchwork quilt. As the plane descended, details of life appeared, including a long runway. Our plane landed at Torrejon Air Force Base on sunny day in May.
Within days, we moved into our living quarters at Royal Oaks, Torrejon's military housing community. We marveled at yellow rolling shutters on the windows. A red-tile porch stretched the length of the house. We could see Madrid's skyline from our living room window.
We couldn't wait to make friends. Military kids welcomed us and showed us around. Before we knew it, we became part of the fold.
We experienced normal American life while at Royal Oaks. We walked to school. American teachers taught us. Little league teams, a community swimming pool, and a movie theater entertained us. Spain's influence fascinated us.
Spanish police officers, called "Guardia Civil," guarded the neighborhood. They wore distinguished green uniforms, wide belts, polished boots, and characteristic patent leather flattop hats. They carried machine guns, hugged babies, and insured military kids' safety.
Military kids didn't watch much TV. Spanish channels were fuzzy. We watched "Reyna Por El Dia," (Queen for a Day) on Sundays. Military kids listened to episodes of "Gunsmoke" on Air Force radio.
Most Americans in Spain could afford household help. Our housekeeper became more like a family member. She helped us learn Spanish. She told stories about the Spanish Civil War, what her family went through, and about Spain's fascist dictator, Francisco Franco.
Military kids enjoyed experiences unheard of in the states. For instance, how many kids go on a Sunday drive and see a medieval castle with a mote? How many spend Sunday afternoon witnessing a bullfight, with a matador adorned in traditional costume, his capes flying, bulls charging, and crowds roaring? How many families get to vacation by the Mediterranean Sea or see gold-laden cathedrals, ancient villages, and cultures so foreign to their own? Most military kids in Spain experienced all that and more.
Sometimes military kids experienced difficult things. I remember haggard women, with crying infants, pleading for money. We drove past villages where dirty children with no pants played in the street. Witnessing profound poverty made military kids more thankful for what we had and instilled a desire to help those less fortunate.
Spanish customs sometimes shocked military kids. Some Spanish people thought nothing of urinating in the streets. Markets displayed hooks of whole, slaughtered animals. Walking into a market with dead pigs and chickens hanging in the corner does nothing for one's appetite.
The Spanish people treated us like royalty. Most of 1960's Madrid consisted of nice department stores, museums, the Royal Palace, and great restaurants. Like any other city, Madrid was made up of people from all socio-economic levels.
Before we knew it, we had to pack our house and say good-bye to our friends and a country we loved. That was 43 years ago. Military kids remember Spain as if it were yesterday.
I recently found a Yahoo group for military kids from Royal Oaks. We share pictures, memories, and an understanding of the impact of our "nomadic" upbringing. We all agree that the positives far outweigh the negatives. Military kids in Spain enjoyed incredible adventures.
Some people say you can never go home again. In our case, that is literally true. Torrejon Air Force Base closed in the 1990's. Demolition crews tore Royal Oaks down, and luxury homes replaced her. Military kids from Spain insist that her spirit will never die. She's alive and well in all our hearts.
Published by Barbara Lee Norris
I have a BA in secondary education with an English/History concentration. I briefly taught high school English, moved to adult education classes and finally served as a social worker. I've helped homeless fa... View profile
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- Spanish police officers, called "Guardia Civil," patrolled the neighborhood.
- She told stories about the Spanish Civil War and about Spain's fascist dictator, Francisco Franco.
60 Comments
Post a CommentI sure do remember that re-constituted milk from the commissary~ It definetly took some getting used to. I was remember the old Airmen's Club......Had my first taste of Rum there....a Cuba Libre....made with "Pessi Cola" instead of Coca Cola.
Wow, In 1961 I was Laurie Hopkin........and landed in Spain as well with our 8 wk. old daughter...We lived in Alcala when we first got there, then moved to Madrid....Thinking the name of the st. was Granja EL Churillo....not sure. Hubby worked at the 98th Strat wing.....I absolutely LOVED Torrejon, and the whole Spanish life. We left in 64 and returned in '66 for another 3 years. Two sons were born at the hospital at Torrejon. We lived the 2nd tour totally in Alcala...Remember going to get fresh made potato chips.....oh my they were good. Had a maid named Elvira who was terrific. Friends were Frank and Gwen Leathery....Tish and Jim ( forgot their last names) and another friend who lost his life in a car accident.....It was a time to remember......the people, the food, everything. Would love to go back to how it was...........Live in New Mexico now.........anyone can email me at :
alamo5@bajabb.com
Thanks for the memories..............Laurie
Thanks for all the memories. Mine was from a slightly different perspective. I was a 17 yr. old English girl living in Madrid. My dad worked for the British Embassy. I was nbot in school, so I did a lot of baby sitting for Americans. I also met the love of my life there. I met Roger Poole on a blind date. He was with SAC as a telephone operator, and also a part time DJ on AFRS radio. How my mother and I loved all the shows on the radio. "Paladin", Gary Moore and countless others. Roger bought me a cute little cream colored radio. Madrid was so safe then. Roger and I went to a lot of the local restaurants and night clubs. Don Quixote, El Biombo Chino, Club Loyd. etc. If we wanted an American meal we went to the Hotel Balboa. Got so sick one night on barbecued beef sandwich and Boston cream pie. I was so worried my parents would hear me throwing up in the wee hrs. of the morning and think the worst!
We also went to the Valley of the Fallen. What a sobering p
I graduated from Madrid High School, at Torrejon, in 1967 and my memories of the base are sketchy, but I remember Madrid vividly. I've recently re-connected with fellow graduates on Facebook and we are still such friends. We all shared so much, so much..there was nothing like Spain in the 60's. I have since traveled the world and Spain will always stand out as a remarkable experience. Catia (Cathy) Hirsch '67. chkh@earthlink.net
The ice cream was an acquired taste, but it happened. Does anyone remember the mechanical cow, the reconstituted milk at the commissary? When we returned to the States milk tasted weird. We lived in El Encinar, first in 32 C? and then in 11A?, not sure of the numbers and memories include the fruitaria, olive oil, gypsies, Guardias, big lawns, weeping willows, rose trees, taxis downtown, modistas, maids, gardeners, trucks that would supply cokes and San Miguel beer to the store room, the great clubs downtown, Stones Jazz, Piccadilly. Galarias Presidios, Plaza Mayor, Museo de Prado, Gambas, Benidorm, and it goes on & on...
I loved living in Spain. We took a cruise ship, SS Atlantic, from N.Y.to Maderia, Portugal, and then on to Gibraltar where we disembarked with our Ford Country Squire station wagon and took a ferry to Algeciras, Spain. There were two other families on board who, if I am remembering correctly both had large station wagons too. We had 6 children and they each had 5. We all drove North, to Madrid together and this was in the early 60's. Gas was .30 cents a gallon in the USA, but in Espana it was $3 a liter. Gads, the Spanish people we passed would just stare as we passed and every stop we would order 16 cokes for the kids and 6 beers for the parents. There was a lot of jaw dropping for those three days. Everyone was on mopeds and the largest car was a Seat, and that was usually a taxi. I remember all three cars cruising into Madrid on the main street and everyone on the streets stopping to stare. We didn't have a clue why. We stopped for Spanish ice cream, and it was our turn to
My kids were borned at that base (1988), then we moved shortly after that to the USA..I am from Madrid so my experience was like yours in another times and backwards..:)
I love the way you writte the story. thanks
Hello fellow Torrejon folks! Have you heard about our reunion Aug 3-7 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Go to royal_oaks@yahoogroups.com I would hope to see Barbara and Eric Hawk, parents were from Texas. We were in Madrid in 1962-1964. Also Shelley and Dee Dee and Debra Twins) and Scotty, Susan, Doug...
I would love to hear from anyone who was at the A.F. elementary on calle Dr. Fleming in 1961-63. My email is: kirk.ashburn@duke-energy.com
I am so blessed by all the comments on here. So far, I haven't had one from anyone I remember from when I was there, but I feel a kinship to all who were there. Only we can know how special it was. There are lots of pictures posted on the Yahoo Groups site for Royal Oaks Elementary students. I'm so thankful the internet gave us all the ability to share memories and reconnect! Blessings to all of you.