Ike, May 2, 2014
Funny indeed... was telling my grandson about Crete – he is studying Greece in school and reignited old memories and so perused some of the web sites about Matala since I was there in 1968 and there I was in Elaine’s pictures, 1968, ‘Ike from the American Airbase.’ Kind a blew my mind. I remember those people in the pictures pretty well – well about as well as one can after so many many years.
I am hoping to visit Crete soon actually now that I am retired. I intend to buy the book also. There is much information on the web about the American Airbase, Iraklion Air Station – we were an ‘intercept’ base – what NSA does – only then we actually operated within the mandate of the 1947 statute of the law – intercept only foreign nations communications.
All best, Ike
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May 20, 2014
Just received the Myth of Matala book via Amazon. Wonderful book. I was stationed at the American Air Base, 1968-1969. I and friends would occasionally drive to Matala with lots of beer, hang out, meet people and score hashish. We invited quite a few people to sojourn down to our house-rentals in Hersonosis, and our Tent-city in Malla on the beach. An extraordinary and beautiful moment in time. I was blessed to have been there and still feel it sometimes – it felt like being inside of a Nikos Kazantzakis novel. The Base was eventually successful in closing our Tent-city – it was memorable. I have pictures from all of these places and hope to upload them to the computer soon. Would you like copies?
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May 26, 2014
Hello Elzo, When I get the pictures scanned I’ll email them - and perhaps do a little writing also. Until my blue Chevy Corvair was totaled by a drunk friend from the base, I used to drive it with several friends to Matala whenever we could and spend several days each time. A number of G.I.’s I knew would take leave or get discharged on Crete and spend longer periods there. An old friend, Elaine, spent 7 months at Matala and has many stories. We have been exchanging emails recently - I just bought her the book the Myth of Matala which is being shipped. Anyway, she said our discussions had awakened many memories of Matala and she may begin to write about them. She said she knew Peter Hoffken (from the book). I also think the picture of the girl speaking to a guy on page 29 (the picture with 4) looks a lot like her - though I can't be sure because the picture is blurry. She should be able to confirm when she receives the book.
Best, Ike
