Second Battalion Marines Lebanon - Cruise Book

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XR Nav 1f' v f11.1.1: I American -- Turkish relations seem to be ce- mented by the in- ternational good- will gesture fupper rightj. The liberty boat Qrightl heads for town -- full of enthusiastic tour- ists who are later seen fbelowj taking advantage of the primary means of Turkish trans- portation. 'Z' The stately min- aret, right, lofts its spire toward the sky. As a facade of the Moslem relig- ion, the minaret seems more than anything a symbol of Turkey.

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Welcome to Antalya Mersen Fethiye After 25 liberty-less days of crossing the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and cruising in circles, the first liberty ports were awelcome sight. For their first ports, the squadron divided -- two ships going to each port. Although the three small Turkish towns visited could not be classified as 'fgood liberty, it was a welcome relief just to be able to set foot on solid earth once again. The stay was a brief three days, and one-third liberty per day was granted. The beach parties -- complete with American beer - were probably the most enjoyed part of the stay. Below, Antalya's Yivli min- Antalya was also the scene of the battalion soccer team's aretg dating back to the 13th first match -- which was lost 3 - 7. A prominent attraction of century. Antalya was Hadrian's Gate Qbelowj constructedin the year 130. i' ' ' nm

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The Curious . . . Of all the impressions the Turkish people made on visiting Marines, the most significant was that they are ex- tremely curious Qalthough this trait was equally as pronounced the other way around tool. Probably more than any- thing, this was due to the fact that 6th Fleet ships rarely, if ever, call in one of the three small ports visited. As a result, all one had to do was signify he wanted to take a picture, or engage in conversation with one of the locals, and he was immediately mobbed by the Turks. Another baffling experience in the small towns, was to walk the length and breadth of main street without seeing so much as atrace of awoman. Because of religious taboos, Qnot because of the Marinesj, all dutiful husbands and fathers kept their womenfolk under lock and key.