A Lost American Teenager in Karamursel, Turkey

A funny thing happened while surfing Google Maps last Friday. I decided to zoom in on a thirty-two year old memory, not quite sure if I could even find what I was looking for. 1978 was a time when as a 14-yr old California kid, I decided I wanted to live with my Air Force Captain Dad, Harry R. Masters. That meant a bit of a trip. You see, my Dad was stationed in a faraway place known as Karamursel, Turkey.

As I plugged Karamursel into Google Maps and began to scroll around, I tried to reorient myself to what the long ago buildings might have looked like. Would they even be there? Would they even... And then I saw it. The remains of The Elephant Cage. This gigantic, round enclosure was part of a communications center on the base. I Googled some more, and up came Paul Dion's Karamursel site, The Karamursel American School Reunion Website and even a Facebook alumni site. Black and white photos began to materialize, and suddenly I was transported back, feeling the same emotions that I had in my short time there.

In 1978, on arrival at the base, I slept for 16 hours straight. I had endured multiple aircraft and airports and a long, arduous bus ride with old, cracked leather seats. I thought that the trip would help me to figure some things out in my young teenage life, but it seems that I brought along the same insecurities, and fears, to this far away air base.

At the Karamursel High School on base (Hello, Minarets!), I had trouble making friends. I just wasn't able to connect with others my same age. And concentrating on school work? Forget about it. Depression began to set in, and I began to withdraw and isolate myself. Seeing the Google Map pictures, it surprised me to recognize color. I don't initially remember color when I was at KCDI. Everything seemed to be a cold gray, and the winter season certainly contributed to that. I was a lost and lonely kid.

As I began to re-experience the helplessness I felt while there, I began to also ask God to show me how this long ago hurt could be of use to me today.

Though I have no memory of having teenage friends, I began to remember my Dad's friends - his close Air Force comrades. There was a fond memory of Patty, who went out of her way to befriend me. She was Catholic (which confused my Dad and I every time she invited us to come to church with her. "What? Us heathens?") but her gentle love for us was undeniable. Another was a couple, Donna and her husband. While over at their apartment one night, I began browsing through their record collection. They had Kansas' Leftoverture album? Wow! When I spotted the Point of Know Return album, Donna's husband said I could borrow it. Though I can't remember his name, I remember his trust. I remember seeing in his eyes a concern for me, and whenever that album plays I remember that cold, cold night of carrying that vinyl album back to my Dad's apartment.

More memories came back: The KCDI Lanes bowling alley with its shouting and boisterous camaraderie; The base movie theatre (Got to see Burt Reynold's "Smokey and the Bandit" there!) and the travelling around to Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, enjoying the hot, Turkish chi (lots of sugar cubes, please), and enduring the messy and smelly Turkish bombsites. (You never quite forget a Turkish restroom).

So, was I really alone at Karamursel CDI?

"A friend loves at all times..." --Proverbs 17:17

The truth is, God accomplished His love through countless Air Force personnel while I was in Turkey. They reached out to this lost 14-yr old and befriended me. They showed me that they cared. I wish I could remember all their names. I wish I could thank each of them. They helped me to see that our lives count; that you can make a difference in a life.

I'm not so lost anymore, and no longer 14, but God seems to highlight many around me that wander aimlessly. Most are much, much younger than I.

I've decided to follow an example set for me long ago.

In this cold, dark world, I will reach out too.

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Also by me:

Patrick AFB South Housing - a Lost Era --- A video I made showing what PAFB's South Housing used to look like. Click Here to see the Video.

When Your Father Dies -- The story of finding a book that helped me through the grieving process of losing my Dad. It also includes some memories of his time with the Air Force while in Turkey. Click Here