Resident Recalls Fourth of July Memories as Military Spouse

Some of Rosemont resident Marge Hartley’s fondest Fourth of July memories are from countries where the holiday isn’t celebrated.

Hartley, who lives at Rosemont’s retirement community, celebrated three Fourth of July holidays each in Germany and Spain while her husband was in the U.S. Air Force.

She met her husband, Robert, while he was on medical leave from a stint as a World War II bomber pilot.

“He had several missions over Germany, of course,” Hartley said of her husband of 61 years, who died five years ago. He also flew in the Berlin Airlift, she said.

The two were married in 1945, and spent time in the late ’40s and early ’50s seeing historic sights in Europe and Adolf Hitler artifacts. Hartley said they visited Hitler’s “Eagle’s Nest” retreat and skied the Zugspitze, a peak that housed a Nazi anti-aircraft tower.

While in Spain, Hartley recalled dancing at a party with then-Prince Juan Carlos, whom she remembered as a handsome young man. Carlos is currently the King of Spain.

She recalled overseas Fourth of July celebrations with marching bands, patriotic displays and parties.

“We had celebrations on base,” she said. “We were always on an American base.”

Hartley’s husband spent 22 years in the Air Force, and retired as a major, she said.

Their son and grandson both spent time in the Air Force, too–their son retired as a master sergeant, while their grandson is currently a captain who plans to retire in a few years.

“It’s wonderful,” Hartley said. “I feel very strongly about the military.”