70°F
weather icon Clear

Halls’ love endures for 66 years, treks across globe

After 66 years of marriage, Erma and Rolland Hall are living proof of everlasting love.

Together, they have weathered whatever life has thrown at them and believe that love can endure if the will to sacrifice for each other is strong.

"As it stands right now, we need each other," says Erma emotionally. "I don't ask God for much, just to give me the strength to help him now. He's always been a good dad, and he always was there for us."

The two met while both were serving in the Air Force.

Erma, a native of New York City, she followed the family tradition of serving in the Armed Forces when she enlisted in 1948. Her father and sister were both in the Army and her brother was in the Marine Corps.

She was one year behind her future husband, Rolland Hall, who enlisted straight out of high school.

She received her first assignment shortly after basic training. Erma was to report to Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., where she would serve as a secretary at the Pentagon; she became a staff sergeant four years later.

Rolland, on the other hand, was training to become a control tower operator, a process that was cut short after they transferred him to the Pentagon to work in the communications sector. It's a job that to this day he associates with the phrase "If I tell you, I'm going to have to kill you" because of how top secret everything was.

Rolland and Erma finally set their eyes on each other at the NCO (noncommissioned officer) Club in Fort Meyers, Va., in early 1949.

"When I first saw him I thought he looked like the Hollywood actor Montgomery Clift," says Erma as her eyes batted as fast as a hummingbird's wings. "He had such pretty green eyes."

After a year and a half of dating, the Halls married on Sept. 23, 1950, in Fort Meyers.

Erma's dress was made out of a Air Force parachute. Their wedding cake was even baked by the mess hall at the base they were staying at at the time.

"I felt like I was floating down the aisle," Erma said.

Once the Halls married, the Air Force did a great job of constantly relocating them but keeping the family together, she said. They took full advantage of traveling around the world, and seeing places many people only dream of.

Germany, Canada, Japan, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland and Luxembourg were just a few of the places on the Halls' list of destinations they visited. Italy was the most romantic of all the cities they visited, Rolland said.

They spent 30 years in the Air Force, and each of their four children was born in a different city.

They moved to Boulder City from Colorado 10 years ago after raising their four children, including Boulder City's Parks and Recreation Director Roger Hall, and more traveling. Today, their family includes 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Contact reporter Juan Diego Pergentili at jpergentili@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow him on Twitter @jdpbcreview.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Free fishing fun

Logan Davis, along with his kids Winter and Maverick, tried their best to catch a fish Saturday, along with all the many others who enjoyed the city’s free fishing day at the pond at Veterans Memorial Park.

Ordinance promotes cleanliness, accessibility of public places

Individuals camping in public spaces has increased dramatically in the past few years across the nation. On May 27 the city of Boulder City joined the cities of Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson, and Sparks, along with Clark, Washoe, and Nye counties in passing a measure to expand the prohibition on camping in public places within city limits. The new ordinance goes into effect on June 19, 2025.

And all that jazz (in the park)

A relatively small but appreciative crowd turned out Saturday evening for Jazz in the Park, sponsored by the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department and the Las Vegas Jazz Society. The evening featured the Marlane Coker Quintet and guest at Bicentennial Park.

Flushing faux pas may lead to clogs, costly repairs

When it comes to plumbing clogs, we can definitely apply the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”…or in this case, a quart of Liquid Plumr.

Art exhibition to showcase work of Connie Ferraro

Connie Ferraro has worn many hats in her life. They have included Broadway dancer, actress, wife of longtime Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro and these days, artist.

Year ending on high note at Mitchell Elementary

From the first day to the last, it takes a great deal of energy to get through a school year. The students, staff, and families are ceaseless in their efforts to ensure that we have a great year from beginning to end. We are successful because we are supported by our community.

Mental health in an aging population

The American Psychiatric Association defines mental illness as health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, and behaviors.

Sunflower Breakfast celebrates King’s parent volunteers

Boulder City’s commitment to community was on full display at this year’s annual Sunflower Breakfast, a heartwarming event dedicated to honoring the incredible volunteers who help our school thrive.

Reframing language in mental health

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.

A busy day at Mitchell Elementary

Thursday, April 17, 2025 was an especially magical day at Mitchell Elementary.