After being there about 3 months, some of us got the idea to visit Zile.  We had read in our history books that Julius Caesar spoke of this place, saying:  "Veni Vidi Vici."  That is Latin for "I came, I saw, I conquered."  In Caesar's day it was spelled Zila.  We were told that it was about 75 miles south of Samsun and took about a half days drive to get there due to the type of roads we would travel.  An Airman, whose name I've forgotten, but I can see his face, obtained a small bus from the motor pool that would hold about 20.  I believe there were fourteen of us that got permission to go, because we were on our four day break.  We were told it would take a full day round trip.  An Airman had gotten written directions.  I have no idea who gave him the directions.  Either the direction was totally wrong, or we were just idiots because we got lost.  We got to Zile on the 2nd day.  On the way we met children who were shy, but their minds eased once we gave them some sweets.  I took lots of chewing gum for that purpose.  The driver wrecked the bus but nothing serious.  We just pushed her up on her wheels and away we went.  The roads were absolutely awful.  I'm sure our hard earned dollars help build Turkey's modern roads of today for they are much better today.  [You can read about Zile here at Wikipedia, which includes some pictures.]

We were warned about brothels in Samsun and sexual transmitted diseases.  Of course, we were taught about sexual transmitted diseases from day one.  I have no idea how many brothels were in Samsun but they were controlled by Turkish men.  If one visited a brothel, payment was made upon entering.  One day, six of us decided to visit one of the Turkish brothels.  All six of us had been drinking, but not so overloaded with that stuff that we could not think.  As we entered the brothel, and payment made, we decided in order who would go first.  My lot was third.  I am not going to mention the other five airmen's name, who went too, as they likely have offspring who might be offended.  Some may have joined our ancestors.

This is a typical street in Samsun in the 1960s.  (I took the picture from the internet.)  This street looks like the place where we visited the brothel.  It certainly looks familiar.

After paying the Turkish gent, the action was on the second floor.  While waiting my turn, a thought came to my mind that my father said: "Son, beware of strange flesh."  At the moment of that thought, Airman Mac (not real name) came and said, "Porter, it's your turn."  I instantly replied, "I'm not going to stick my cob into strange flesh."  Only one Airman understood what I meant and he laughed heartily and said something similarly.  Out of the six only two received their pleasure.  The rest of us gladly avoided "strange flesh" and left.  We did not get our payment back and I wasn't expecting it.  The next day the entire barracks were taking about the event, and some jokingly yelled, "Beware of Porter's Cob!"  It was all in fun and I didn't mind.  Being an old country lad, I understood what a corn cob is.  I need not explain any further.

While at Samsun an emergency arose at home and I was granted leave in June 1962.  My father pulled through his serious heart attack, but would not the other one that occurred after I was honorably discharged.  My emergency leave was the first time I saw a Pan American 707 passenger jet at Istanbul Yeşilköy Airport (now Atatürk Airport).  ”That was a remarkable sight and I wish Pan Am were still flying passengers.

I must write about the nickname pined on me by Airman William "Bill" Negrey.  Neg, as we called him, was a wonderful gent to be around, and his antics kept boredom away.  In the gym we had just seen the movie "O'Henry's Full House", a series of three short stories O'Henry wrote which were made into a movie.  O'Henry's real name was Sidney Porter and Neg knew that; thus, Neg pinned the nickname "Sid" on me.  Soon most airmen were calling me "Sid".  I purchased a cigarette lighter with a red map of Turkey on it.  On the back Neg cut into the lighter "Sid".

Things went smoothly most of the time.  Occasionally, we had a tense moment.  The most severe tense moment occurred in October 1962.  That's when the Commander-in-Chief (JFK) ordered a blockade of Russian missiles to Cuba; more commonly known as the "Cuban Crisis".  We were very busy for the rest of the year, on into the New Year.  As I was typing Morse code messages from the enemy across the Black Sea about every other minute or so, an Airman came by my desk and ripped sheets of my typing and took the coded messages to the cryptic room.  We were very tense at times realizing a war might be looming.  An agreement was finally reached by the two nations that averted the war.

That Spring of 1963, my DEROS (Date of Estimated Return to the States) was arriving and I boxed up several items including lots of pictures, small Turkish rugs, trinkets, Roman Coins, and that small stone the Drill Sergeant made me carry.  I sent them ahead.  They did not arrive.  I was saddened because those pictures and that rock the Drill Sergeant made me carry were historical, pertaining to my military assignments and escapades.  Fortunately, I had packed about 5 pictures in my duffel bag along with several orders previously received.  I boarded Turkish Airlines (THY-Türk Hava Yoları) at Samsun to Istanbul and once again flew the Pan Am 707 across the Atlantic.

Getting to Istanbul we flew by Turkish Airlines (THY).
Above are pages of my boarding pass at Samsun Airport and an Istanbul Hilton Hotel meal stub.

We spent the night in the Istanbul Hilton and had a chance to visit the Blue Mosque.  We were not allowed to take pictures of the Mosque inside or out, and we had to remove our shoes before entering.  Near the entrance one could purchase postcards of the Mosque.  That may be the reason we could not take pictures.  Frankly, I have no idea other than to say the colors inside were fascinating.  I have never seen such a building before.  The inside walls were lined with small bluish ceramic tiles in several different designs.  The blue colors were remarkable and the way they were mortared together must have been tedious work.  Below are two postcards of the Mosque. One is showing the outside, and the other showing the inside.

Left is a postcard of the Blue Mosque, and in the lower left of the same card, pointing upwards, is the Egyptian Obelisk.  The postcard on the right shows the small bluish ceramic tiles that took many days to mortar them to the walls.

This postcard shows the Bosporus Strait separating the European section of Turkey from the Asian section of Turkey.  The strait also connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.  Istanbul is on the southern end of the Bosporus.

Other than the Blue Mosque, a beautiful building, one other thing sticks out in my mind about Istanbul.  It's the pigeons.  I never saw so many pigeons in my life.  The city is full of the flying creatures.  I and a couple returning home were amazed at the population of the pigeons.”They probably outnumbered the citizens of the city at that time, so it seemed.  I actually feared of being hit by pigeon droppings.  I was reminded of a movie, "The Gazebo", in which, at the end, the police inspector was hit on top of his head by a pigeon's dropping.

The next day I boarded a Pan Am 707, which landed in Germany before proceeding to New York.  In Germany, and I don't recall the city, probably Frankfurt, more passengers boarded for America.  A Lady that had been visiting relatives was flying back home to New York.  The seat she was assigned was beside me.  Within a few minutes we were chatting.  We talked on several subjects.  One of those subjects is still vivid in my mind.

I learned she was Jewish and most of her family was murdered by the Nazis.  I have read and seen horrible pictures of what the Nazis did to the Jewish people.  As we talked, the images of that evil flashed throughout my mind.  I recall saying to her, "The Nazis are no longer and the hate for the Jews are no longer."  She sternly looked at me and said, "The Nazis are no longer active but they are still with us.  When I visit Germany to see my family, I can feel the Germans' hate."  Her remarks were unbelievable, yet her sternness made them believable.

I took this picture of the Pan Am 707 passenger jet from the internet.  Pan American Airlines was a pioneer in domestic and foreign flights.  I wish they were still around flying the more modern passenger jets.  I miss their emblem.  I firmly believe that Pan Am was a sincere ambassador representing our great Nation.

BERGSTROM AFB, TEXAS

(My photo:  March 1963)

My next assignment order, dated 19 March 1963, sent me to the 4130rd Strategic Wing (SAC) at Bergstrom AFB, TX.  When I got the orders, my Sergeant said he was recommending a third strip (A1C) because I had scored in the top third on the SKT (Skill Knowledge Test) for my AFSC.  One had to make a minimum of 35% to pass the test.  My score was 65%, placing me in the top third group.  If anyone scored below 35%, his eligibility was conditional.  Anyone making 25% or below flunked.  I have a copy listing the individuals that took the test and three Sergeants flunked.  As I understand it, promotions were frozen during the Cuban Crisis for about four months or so, and were frozen again when our Commander-in-Chief (JFK) was assassinated.  The monies were needed in case of an all-out attack against our Nation.  I never did get that third strip as promised.  It was offered if I reenlisted, but I told my Senior Master Sergeant, "Twice I was promised my third strip and your third promise is not charming".  I did not reenlist.  Most likely I would have if I had gotten my third strip as promised.  The Sergeant had a folder that he was looking through.  He said, "Will you please reconsider.  In this folder is considerable information on you and your family."  He continued to speak.  Then I said, "If I re-up the first place I'd be sent is Vietnam.  My radio Morse Code experience is needed in those helicopters".  The Sergeant sternly looked at me and said, "You will never be sent to Vietnam.  I see in this folder that you had a bother killed in World War II."  I was surprised that the Air Force had that information.  We continued to talk.  He brought out considerable info on me and my family.  The FBI must have done a thorough search.  In fact, before going overseas I was told by some that the FBI was in the community asking questions about me.  That investigation led to a "Top Secret Clearance" that was needed because I was being trained to be somewhat of a spy.  I was almost convinced, but I did not re-up.

This is one of the entrances at Bergstrom AFB.  (Picture taken from the internet.)

In November 1963, our Commander-in-Chief (JFK) started his campaign for reelection.  His schedules after Dallas were to land at our base and proceed to the Governor's Mansion for another gathering.  Bergstrom was all decked out waiting upon his arrival that never happened.  The minute the sirens sounded I knew something was wrong.  Every B-52 that was in flying condition was in the air in less than an hour.  We knew not what to expect.  A possible war could be in the making.  Many of us were eagerly waiting for the President's arrival when an Airman came yelling, "The Presidents been shot, the Presidents been shot!"  Sadness and grief developed.  From that moment on, and not knowing what to expect, Bergstrom stayed in war mode.

I need to write a brief on President Lyndon Baines Johnson.  His home was about an hour's drive from Bergstrom.  We were charged to maintain the necessary equipment for him to be able to come to and fro.  Several times I would be assigned, along with other airmen, to go to his farm to ensure all the electronic equipment there was in tip-top shape.  Heads would roll if the said equipment was not in perfect condition.  I had the additional responsibility to make sure the paper work was complete before turning it in to our Captain.

When he came home, LBJ landed at Bergstrom and proceeded on to his farm by helicopter.  He always took time to give a quick handshake for all those that were lined up to meet him.  I got two quick handshakes, more like a sudden slap.  That's the way he shook hands.  I assume there were too many gathered for a normal handshake and that a quick slap was enough.

I've rambled enough; however, I briefly want to make brief notes on the following:

The individuals I've referenced above had important roles concerning the military life of millions.  First, John F. Kennedy played an important role in my military life, both during the Cuban Crisis and when he was assassinated.

Lyndon B. Johnson, shown being sworn in after Kennedy's assassination, was President while I was station at Bergstrom AFB, which was about a mile's drive from his ranch.  Bergstrom stayed in top shape while he was President.

Then came Nixon.  He was not President while I was in the Air Force, but he played an important role saving that little tiny nation known as Israel.  Golda Meir was Prime Minister of Israel and she pleaded with Nixon for help during the Yom Kupper War in 1973.  Golda Meir called him for help and he sent help based upon his mother's voice.  He got very little credit due to Watergate.  I occasionally think of Nixon heeding his mother's voice that saved a very small independent nation.  Israel has always had to defend herself since she was reestablished in 1948.  This incident reminds me of the Jewish lady that set beside me flying back home.  Her statement I shall repeat:  "The Nazis are no longer active but they are still with us.  When I visit Germany to see my family I can feel the Germans' hate."

On the left are me & Diann in 2012.  On the right is my family at Christmas 2013.  Me with Santa cap, daughter Jane, Daughter Kelly, daughter-in-law Rene, Wife Diann, and the tall one in the back is my son Richard and next to him my grandson, John R. Hall III.