Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay attended the commemoration ceremony held at Kadifekale Martyrdom on the occasion of March 18 Martyrs' Memorial Day and the anniversary of the Çanakkale Naval Victory.
The ceremony held at Kadifekale Martyrs' Memorial on March 18th Martyrs' Day and the 110th anniversary of the Çanakkale Naval Victory was attended by İzmir Governor Dr. Süleyman Elban, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay, Aegean Army and Garrison Commander General İrfan Özsert, martyrs' and veterans' associations, chambers and civil society organizations, representatives of political parties and citizens. The ceremony at the martyrs' memorial began with the laying of a wreath at the monument. Following a moment of silence and the National Anthem, a salute was fired.
“Homeland is the land where people live in security”
Speaking at the ceremony where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s message was read, Recep Doğru, the President of the İzmir Branch of the Turkish War Disabled Veterans Martyrs, Widows and Orphans Association, said that the lands on which people live are watered with the blood of martyrs. Expressing that the homeland is the land where people live in safety and have the honor of being united, Recep Doğru said, “We have gathered to remember with gratitude all our dear martyrs who fell to the ground, burying their dreams and hopes in their hearts for the indivisible integrity of our state, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, to remember and remind our honorable heroes and to send prayers to all our martyrs who fell to the ground for the homeland. Today, we are proudly and honorably celebrating the 110th anniversary of the Çanakkale Victory, which was written in golden letters in world history.”
Carnations were left on the graves
At the ceremony, Ela Ecem Fındıkoğlu, a student of Buca 85th Year Anatolian High School, read the poem “Çanakkale”. İzmir Governor Dr. Süleyman Elban signed the martyrs’ book. The Quran was recited and prayers were read. Later, the graves of the martyrs were visited and flowers were left. İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay left carnations at the martyrs’ cemeteries and read prayers. He also chatted with the relatives of the martyrs and veterans.
