President Erdoğan attends ceremony at Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at a ceremony held at the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial on the occasion of March 18 Martyrs’ Commemoration Day and the 107th anniversary of the Victory of Çanakkale.
Remembering with grace and gratitude the august martyrs who got the expression ‘Çanakkale is impassable’ engraved in history, President Erdoğan wished Allah’s mercy upon all citizens and security personnel who sacrificed their lives for their homeland and flag during the War of Independence, Cyprus Peace Operation and the fight against terror as well as on July 15. “I remember with respect soldiers of other nations as well -- whom we deem to be our guests from the moment they fell to the ground here -- even though they came with the intention of occupation.”
“TURKISH NATION INSTILLED HOPE IN ALL THE OPPRESSED THROUGH THE UNPRECEDENTED FIGHT IT WAGED IN ÇANAKKALE”
Describing the Çanakkale Battles as an epic story manifesting the Turkish Nation’s such supreme traits as patriotism, altruism and bravery, President Erdoğan stated that a dedicated nation devoted to its independence which had put its survival on the line for the sake of its faith had changed the course of history, that the most powerful militaries of the world had suffered defeat in the face of faithful hearts, and that faith had emerged victorious against the spirit of invasion.
President Erdoğan continued his remarks as follows: “It became clear that there was no power or no weapon which could withstand a nation determined to protect its homeland and independence at the cost of its life. The Turkish Nation instilled hope in all the oppressed through the unprecedented fight it waged in Çanakkale, with many countries under colonial rule afterwards having drawn inspiration first from the Victory of Çanakkale and then from our War of Independence to launch their own liberation struggles. In this sense, the Victory of Çanakkale belongs not only to us but represents a shared victory for millions of brothers and sisters of ours, from the Balkans to Africa, Europe to Asia. This glorious victory is as much a victory of ours as of the oppressed people turning both their eyes and hearts to our country. We can see this fact very clearly when we look at the tombstones right beside us. Here exist the tombs of not only heroes from Türkiye’s every province, district and village. The tombs of our martyrs who had come from every corner of the geographies dear to our hearts and fell to the ground here are also present here.”
Remembering once again all the heroes -- first and foremost Gazi Mustafa Kemal, the Commander of Anafartalar and the founder of the Republic -- President Erdoğan signed the memorial book and laid carnations at the martyrs’ tombs.
