TRNC marks Veterans’ Day
Senior military figures, politicians and members of the Cyprus Turkish Retired Military Officers’ Association paid their respects to Turkey's Cyprus war dead
THE Cyprus Turkish Retired Military Officers’ Association marked last Saturday’s September 19 Veterans’ Day with a statement and ceremonies paying tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.
Association head Kazım And said that Atatürk was granted the honorary titles of Veteran and Marshall in the Grand National Assembly of
Carnations were placed on the grave stones of Turkish soldiers buried at the Boğaz Martyrs’ Memorial Cemetery
Turkey on September 19, sovereignty,” Mr And said. 1921, following the victory “Each and every against Greek forces at the Turkish Cypriot acknowlbattle of Sakarya on Sepedges that each martyr tember 13 of the same who shed blood on the year. September 19 has national lands and each been celebrated as Vetveteran who fought for erans’ Day ever since. honour and dignity with
“The Turkish Cypriot great dedication are parts nation, as an inseparable of the blocks that construct part of the great Turkish the state foundation. nation, never hesitated to Mr And, senior milistand against the imperitary figures, politicians alist forces attacking and other guests their existence, laid wreaths, country, freedom and first at the Atatürk Statue in Lefkoşa and then at the Martyrs’ Memorial Cemetery in Boğaz, where they also placed carnations on the grave stones of Turkish soldiers who lost their lives during the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation.
A minute’s silence was held at both ceremonies, followed by the singing of the Turkish national anthem and the raising of the Turkish and TRNC flags.