Best Friends
Jim Walcher who I served with at Onna Point, Okinawa and Karamursel AS, Turkey. We were Bull Runners together (Istan Bul). I served as Best Man at his wedding in Turkey and he was Best Man at mine Only 3 months later. Two of only a few Americans who ultimately married locals. It wasn't easy back then.
Best Moment
Being married to the love of my life (Fatma Colak). We first met early in my 18 month tour in Turkey, about 8 hours after landing at Yesel Koy Airport. I over slept the first morning on station and needed an alarm Clock. Who knew my 60 cycle clock radio wouldn't work on the local (sometimes 50, sometimes 60 cycle) power grid. Fatma was filling in for the regular Jewelry counter girl and sold me an over-priced travel clock that first day. It wasn't perfect but I got bye. Took my money and stole my heart. We Married on 26 Dec 1966. Our life was enchanted. She managed our homes, Raised a daughter and three boys, and put the whole gang of us through college. Went back to Yalova several times with the kids to visit. Looking back, there were lots of "Best Moments."
Worst Moment
Worst moment, yes. After 53 years of bliss, it was difficult for us all to lose Fatma but we did, in October 2019. Dementia is a wicked master.
Other Memories
Of my many room-mates, several stand out. Doug Duncan and Dick Mercado at Onna Pt were my two closest friends from enlisted days while Paul Repak and I went through Nav School at Mather AFB, Sacramento, Ca. We lost Dough at Christmas time 2018.
Jim Walcher who I served with at Onna Point, Okinawa and Karamursel AS, Turkey. We were Bull Runners together (Istan Bul). I served as Best Man at his wedding in Turkey and he was Best Man at mine Only 3 months later. Two of only a few Americans who ultimately married locals. It wasn't easy back then.
Being married to the love of my life (Fatma Colak). We first met early in my 18 month tour in Turkey, about 8 hours after landing at Yesel Koy Airport. I over slept the first morning on station and needed an alarm Clock. Who knew my 60 cycle clock radio wouldn't work on the local (sometimes 50, sometimes 60 cycle) power grid. Fatma was filling in for the regular Jewelry counter girl and sold me an over-priced travel clock that first day. It wasn't perfect but I got bye. Took my money and stole my heart. We Married on 26 Dec 1966. Our life was enchanted. She managed our homes, Raised a daughter and three boys, and put the whole gang of us through college. Went back to Yalova several times with the kids to visit. Looking back, there were lots of "Best Moments."
Worst moment, yes. After 53 years of bliss, it was difficult for us all to lose Fatma but we did, in October 2019. Dementia is a wicked master.
Of my many room-mates, several stand out. Doug Duncan and Dick Mercado at Onna Pt were my two closest friends from enlisted days while Paul Repak and I went through Nav School at Mather AFB, Sacramento, Ca. We lost Dough at Christmas time 2018.