Safe Passage From An Arab Angel
Authored By: Bradley Chapline
2006
Story Edited By Michele Chapline
It was 1973, Turkey and Greece had just begun to engage in war. The United States and President Nixon had sided with Greece. This had severely strained relations between the Turks and the Americans. There were reports of injustices being committed against Americans in Turkey.
I was a nineteen year old private first class with less than a year in the Marines. With sandy blond hair, blue eyes and a golden tan, I was the epitome of a young gung-ho Marine.
I had a distinct distaste for Arabs. My father had been a medic in World War II who fought the Nazi’s in northern Africa. When my father witnessed Arabs stripping dead American soldiers of their personal belongings in the aftermath of a battle with the Germans, both my father and I determined that Arabs were the true savages of the earth. In line with this, my unit’s deployment to the Middle East was based on a show of force to thwart Arab aggression in the region.
I received a message from the Red Cross while I was on board ship that my father was near death, and that I was granted emergency leave to return to the states to be with him.
Our ship was positioned somewhere off the coast of Izmir, Turkey, in the Aegean Sea. My commanding officer informed me that I would be flying via CH-46 Marine helicopter into the port city of Izmir. That, upon my arrival there would be a U.S. Embassy liaison officer there to meet up with me.
I would then be taken to the U.S. Embassy and processed for air transportation back to the United States.
I found it strange that it was after 2300 hours when the Marine helicopter I was on landed in the port authority complex in Izmir. I was in my full dress uniform. The moment I departed the helicopter I began to experience severe anxiety. The Izmir port authority complex was deserted. Not a person to be seen anywhere. The buildings and street lights had been noticeably dimmed.
The Marine chopper that I had flown in on had already departed the port authority and was no longer in my sight. I had no other choice than to follow the orders of my commanding officer. I waited for over three hours at the port authority complex. There still was no movement whatsoever. I now knew something was terribly wrong.
I took my sea bag and hoisted it up onto my shoulder. I began walking towards where I saw bright lights off in the distance. But, I had walked several miles on the side of a road that was now pitch dark. I was frightened, and began to weep.
Suddenly, I see the lights of a car approaching me. The driver of the vehicle is speeding. As this old deteriorated vehicle passed me, it then came to a sudden stop. The driver then backs up alongside me. I stopped walking and laid my sea bag down next to me.
The driver gets out of his vehicle. It appears to be an Arab man dressed in native garb. He begins yelling at me in some type of Arab dialect. I now begin to shake uncontrollably as this Arab man approaches me. He grabs my sea bag and throws it into the back seat of his car. He is still yelling at me, but I still cannot understand what he is saying. But, my instincts told me that my safety was in deep trouble.
I remained frozen, unable to move, and riddled with fear. The Arab man then violently grabs me and pushes me into the front passenger seat. We sped away.
There was no doubt in my mind that I had been taken hostage and would be killed.
As this Arab man continued to talk in a heightened state to me, we had now left the city of Izmir and were now in a completely desolate area of Turkey. Approximately four hours had gone by with still, no signs of civilization. All of my views from this vehicle were of darkness.
But then, a short time later, I see the lights of a city off in the distance. I began to relax my fears, a bit. But, I’m still confused as to where I’m being taken too, and for what reasons.
But, we passed through this city and went back out into another dark and desolate area. I was now doing my best to hold myself together and emotionally prepare for what evil acts this Arab man had in store for me.
But, within a half-hour I see city lights again in the distance. I had no idea of what city we were in, or where it was located. But, my fear and anxiety begin to subside. I’m hopeful that I’ll be allowed to live.
Within fifteen minutes we approach an airport. He parks his vehicle out front like he has some kind of authority. This Arab man then grabs my sea bag. He motions for me to get out of the car. I walked inside the airport with him.
I was contemplating whether I should run away from my captor. But, good common sense told me this Arab was only doing his best to help me. Additionally, I too believed it would be unwise for an American to be running away in a Turkish airport. There were many armed Turkish soldiers posted all over this airport.
My Arab captor took me to a ticket agent’s counter. I saw him buy a plane ticket with his money. He then puts the ticket packet inside of my Marine dress jacket. He motions me to follow him. We now arrive at a customs checkpoint.
I see even more armed and mean looking Turkish guards. My anxiety levels begin to significantly increase again. But, those guards at the custom’s checkpoint were quite the contrary. They were very polite and searched my belongings in a very respectful manner.
Now, completely relaxed, I willingly followed this Arab man who led me down the corridor to get where I was to board a plane. I still at this time had no idea what city I was in, or even where I would be flying to.
As I took several steps in the direction of the plane I was to board, I turned and looked back at this Arab gentleman that had put himself at risk in helping me out of a potentially very dangerous situation.
I now felt extremely bad with all of my thoughts and fears. For the first time, I then approached my Arab angel. We shook hands and gave each other a light embrace. I then boarded the plane with still no idea as to where I was flying. When I finally got seated on the plane, I looked for my Arab friend. But, he was gone.
Moments later I discovered a stewardess who spoke English. I asked her what city I was in, and what was our destination. The shocked look that I received from her prompted me to explain the circumstances that had occurred. She politely explained to me that we were in the city of Istanbul, and that we were flying to Athens, Greece.
The stewardess further explained that this was the last flight authorized from Turkey to Greece because of the war. The stewardess also informed me there had been a mass anti-American demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Istanbul. All Embassy personnel were locked down inside the complex for their safety.
I was beginning to understand why this Arab gentleman seemed so panicked to ensure that I made this flight from Istanbul to Athens. Then, it dawned on me. There is a U.S. Air Force base in Athens that actually adjoins the international airport.
So, this Arab angel of mine not only assured my safe passage out of Turkey, but also ensured that I would be safely back in the hands of the United States military.
I was again wondering just who my Arab angel was. I initially thought he was somehow connected to the U.S. Embassy in Istanbul. But, upon my arrival at the civilian airport in Athens, the stewardess somehow made contact with the base authorities at the Hellenokon Air Force base.
These military authorities apparently were not interested in what she had to say concerning my situation.
The stewardess then informed me of the directions to walk from the Athens airport to the U.S. military base. I humped for seven miles with all of my personal gear to the main gate of the Hellenokon Air Force Base.
I checked into the base with my emergency leave orders. But, I was told I would not be able to fly back to the United States for an undetermined period of time because of the ongoing war between Greece and Turkey.
So, base authorities offered me a private military barracks-style room, and free passes to each meal at their dining facility.
In comparison to Marine Corps living, life at this Air Force base was like five star housing and dining! After what I had been through, I was in no hurry to leave this Air Force facility.
But, it was important for me to get home. So, after several days of what I considered to be luxury living, I took a flight to the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Base authorities at Hellenokon told me I could get a flight back to the United States much easier from that location.
This was a huge military base. I didn’t dare leave the terminal. I had spent a complete day there. Finally, I decided to get a hotel room on the base. It had now been four days since I left on that CH-46 Marine helicopter from my ship and landed in the port authority of Izmir, Turkey.
Unbeknownst to me, my family had contacted our senator’s office concerning my whereabouts. But no one knew where to find me. Senator Paul Sarbanes had put out a world-wide search on me.
After two days, I was still waiting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany for a flight back to the United States. I was settling in for a lengthy stay there
.
To me, Ramstein Air Base was just as much luxury living as was Hellenokon Air Force base.
Relaxing in my room watching television, after my dinner meal, there was a hard knock at my door. It was a full-bird Colonel. He asked me if I was Private First Class Bradley Chapline. I stated that I was. This Colonel stated to me, “Just where the hell have you been? Do you realize that your senator had put out a world wide search for you? Nobody had any idea of what had happened to you!” I took the Colonel’s word to heart.
It was then that I realized that this Arab angel of mine who took such great care of me was in no way connected or obligated to the U.S. government.
I’ve never known who my “Arab Angel” was, nor will I ever. But, one thing was for sure. I learned that stereotyping individuals is wrong, and I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the Arab people.
Isn’t it totally ironic, that an Arab stranger not only affords a stranded American soldier safe passage out of the country, but also affords him the opportunity to go home and see his father before he dies. And this was a man who despised all Arabs on the face of the earth.
When I finally did arrive home in Baltimore, I got to see my father alive. I sat by his bedside and explained the story to him of why I was so late in getting back to the United States.
My father became upset with me in putting my trust in an Arab. When he turned away from me in his hospital bed, I got up and left the hospital. I did not return. I did not go to my father’s funeral. I did not go back home to see my mother and older brother. I was done. I didn’t want to see anybody from the family I grew up with ever again.
I was a nineteen year old private first class with less than a year in the Marines. With sandy blond hair, blue eyes and a golden tan, I was the epitome of a young gung-ho Marine.
I had a distinct distaste for Arabs. My father had been a medic in World War II who fought the Nazi’s in northern Africa. When my father witnessed Arabs stripping dead American soldiers of their personal belongings in the aftermath of a battle with the Germans, both my father and I determined that Arabs were the true savages of the earth. In line with this, my unit’s deployment to the Middle East was based on a show of force to thwart Arab aggression in the region.
I received a message from the Red Cross while I was on board ship that my father was near death, and that I was granted emergency leave to return to the states to be with him.
Our ship was positioned somewhere off the coast of Izmir, Turkey, in the Aegean Sea. My commanding officer informed me that I would be flying via CH-46 Marine helicopter into the port city of Izmir. That, upon my arrival there would be a U.S. Embassy liaison officer there to meet up with me.
I would then be taken to the U.S. Embassy and processed for air transportation back to the United States.
I found it strange that it was after 2300 hours when the Marine helicopter I was on landed in the port authority complex in Izmir. I was in my full dress uniform. The moment I departed the helicopter I began to experience severe anxiety. The Izmir port authority complex was deserted. Not a person to be seen anywhere. The buildings and street lights had been noticeably dimmed.
The Marine chopper that I had flown in on had already departed the port authority and was no longer in my sight. I had no other choice than to follow the orders of my commanding officer. I waited for over three hours at the port authority complex. There still was no movement whatsoever. I now knew something was terribly wrong.
I took my sea bag and hoisted it up onto my shoulder. I began walking towards where I saw bright lights off in the distance. But, I had walked several miles on the side of a road that was now pitch dark. I was frightened, and began to weep.
Suddenly, I see the lights of a car approaching me. The driver of the vehicle is speeding. As this old deteriorated vehicle passed me, it then came to a sudden stop. The driver then backs up alongside me. I stopped walking and laid my sea bag down next to me.
The driver gets out of his vehicle. It appears to be an Arab man dressed in native garb. He begins yelling at me in some type of Arab dialect. I now begin to shake uncontrollably as this Arab man approaches me. He grabs my sea bag and throws it into the back seat of his car. He is still yelling at me, but I still cannot understand what he is saying. But, my instincts told me that my safety was in deep trouble.
I remained frozen, unable to move, and riddled with fear. The Arab man then violently grabs me and pushes me into the front passenger seat. We sped away.
There was no doubt in my mind that I had been taken hostage and would be killed.
As this Arab man continued to talk in a heightened state to me, we had now left the city of Izmir and were now in a completely desolate area of Turkey. Approximately four hours had gone by with still, no signs of civilization. All of my views from this vehicle were of darkness.
But then, a short time later, I see the lights of a city off in the distance. I began to relax my fears, a bit. But, I’m still confused as to where I’m being taken too, and for what reasons.
But, we passed through this city and went back out into another dark and desolate area. I was now doing my best to hold myself together and emotionally prepare for what evil acts this Arab man had in store for me.
But, within a half-hour I see city lights again in the distance. I had no idea of what city we were in, or where it was located. But, my fear and anxiety begin to subside. I’m hopeful that I’ll be allowed to live.
Within fifteen minutes we approach an airport. He parks his vehicle out front like he has some kind of authority. This Arab man then grabs my sea bag. He motions for me to get out of the car. I walked inside the airport with him.
I was contemplating whether I should run away from my captor. But, good common sense told me this Arab was only doing his best to help me. Additionally, I too believed it would be unwise for an American to be running away in a Turkish airport. There were many armed Turkish soldiers posted all over this airport.
My Arab captor took me to a ticket agent’s counter. I saw him buy a plane ticket with his money. He then puts the ticket packet inside of my Marine dress jacket. He motions me to follow him. We now arrive at a customs checkpoint.
I see even more armed and mean looking Turkish guards. My anxiety levels begin to significantly increase again. But, those guards at the custom’s checkpoint were quite the contrary. They were very polite and searched my belongings in a very respectful manner.
Now, completely relaxed, I willingly followed this Arab man who led me down the corridor to get where I was to board a plane. I still at this time had no idea what city I was in, or even where I would be flying to.
As I took several steps in the direction of the plane I was to board, I turned and looked back at this Arab gentleman that had put himself at risk in helping me out of a potentially very dangerous situation.
I now felt extremely bad with all of my thoughts and fears. For the first time, I then approached my Arab angel. We shook hands and gave each other a light embrace. I then boarded the plane with still no idea as to where I was flying. When I finally got seated on the plane, I looked for my Arab friend. But, he was gone.
Moments later I discovered a stewardess who spoke English. I asked her what city I was in, and what was our destination. The shocked look that I received from her prompted me to explain the circumstances that had occurred. She politely explained to me that we were in the city of Istanbul, and that we were flying to Athens, Greece.
The stewardess further explained that this was the last flight authorized from Turkey to Greece because of the war. The stewardess also informed me there had been a mass anti-American demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy in Istanbul. All Embassy personnel were locked down inside the complex for their safety.
I was beginning to understand why this Arab gentleman seemed so panicked to ensure that I made this flight from Istanbul to Athens. Then, it dawned on me. There is a U.S. Air Force base in Athens that actually adjoins the international airport.
So, this Arab angel of mine not only assured my safe passage out of Turkey, but also ensured that I would be safely back in the hands of the United States military.
I was again wondering just who my Arab angel was. I initially thought he was somehow connected to the U.S. Embassy in Istanbul. But, upon my arrival at the civilian airport in Athens, the stewardess somehow made contact with the base authorities at the Hellenokon Air Force base.
These military authorities apparently were not interested in what she had to say concerning my situation.
The stewardess then informed me of the directions to walk from the Athens airport to the U.S. military base. I humped for seven miles with all of my personal gear to the main gate of the Hellenokon Air Force Base.
I checked into the base with my emergency leave orders. But, I was told I would not be able to fly back to the United States for an undetermined period of time because of the ongoing war between Greece and Turkey.
So, base authorities offered me a private military barracks-style room, and free passes to each meal at their dining facility.
In comparison to Marine Corps living, life at this Air Force base was like five star housing and dining! After what I had been through, I was in no hurry to leave this Air Force facility.
But, it was important for me to get home. So, after several days of what I considered to be luxury living, I took a flight to the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Base authorities at Hellenokon told me I could get a flight back to the United States much easier from that location.
This was a huge military base. I didn’t dare leave the terminal. I had spent a complete day there. Finally, I decided to get a hotel room on the base. It had now been four days since I left on that CH-46 Marine helicopter from my ship and landed in the port authority of Izmir, Turkey.
Unbeknownst to me, my family had contacted our senator’s office concerning my whereabouts. But no one knew where to find me. Senator Paul Sarbanes had put out a world-wide search on me.
After two days, I was still waiting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany for a flight back to the United States. I was settling in for a lengthy stay there
.
To me, Ramstein Air Base was just as much luxury living as was Hellenokon Air Force base.
Relaxing in my room watching television, after my dinner meal, there was a hard knock at my door. It was a full-bird Colonel. He asked me if I was Private First Class Bradley Chapline. I stated that I was. This Colonel stated to me, “Just where the hell have you been? Do you realize that your senator had put out a world wide search for you? Nobody had any idea of what had happened to you!” I took the Colonel’s word to heart.
It was then that I realized that this Arab angel of mine who took such great care of me was in no way connected or obligated to the U.S. government.
I’ve never known who my “Arab Angel” was, nor will I ever. But, one thing was for sure. I learned that stereotyping individuals is wrong, and I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the Arab people.
Isn’t it totally ironic, that an Arab stranger not only affords a stranded American soldier safe passage out of the country, but also affords him the opportunity to go home and see his father before he dies. And this was a man who despised all Arabs on the face of the earth.
When I finally did arrive home in Baltimore, I got to see my father alive. I sat by his bedside and explained the story to him of why I was so late in getting back to the United States.
My father became upset with me in putting my trust in an Arab. When he turned away from me in his hospital bed, I got up and left the hospital. I did not return. I did not go to my father’s funeral. I did not go back home to see my mother and older brother. I was done. I didn’t want to see anybody from the family I grew up with ever again.