I was stationed in Spain from 68-72, first attached to the embassy, and later on the consulate in Barcelona. The war was not popular in Europe, and off duty we all kept pretty much a low profile, and were encouraged to wear civvies whenever possible. We were all aware of what was going on back home in the States. Spain was also home to one of the three tracking stations for the Apollo missions, so the Spanish people felt connected to the lunar program. In Dec 68, when Apollo 8 orbited the moon during Christmas, and Borman read from Genesis, the entire country was captivated, entranced. It was even more so when, seven months later, we landed on the moon. For those weeks, it was an incredible time to be an American in Spain, and especially in uniform. We received invitations to some amazing homes and parties, and you could walk into any bar and everyone wanted to buy you a drink...or several. Women were very, well..”attentive.” It was just, well.....nice. I I remember talking to my dad that New Year’s Day, and telling him about it. He was a C-47 pilot in the 8th USAAF..he spent the war in England. That good feeling I had then was maybe 1/10,000 what it must have been like in America when the war ended..
Thanks, ken, for sharing your story. I’m always amazed at the treatment, by the public, of our military depending on world conditions.