Turkiye's Air Attache salutes ANZAC fallen in Cambridge

The  cemetery is home to over  330  Cambridge-based  ANZAC airmen from  WW2, as well as  victims of  Gallipoli in WW1.Group Captain  Virlan was flanked by this year's guest of honour, Air  Chief  Marshal Sir  Michael Graydon (pictured), as well as  senior Australian and  New  Zealand serving officers. Sir  Michael  told  those attending  that   Gallipoli/Canakkale had become an outstanding  example  of  mutual respect between enemies eventually   triumphing over  war , and that "jaw,jaw" is always better than  "war ,war."Underlining Sir  Michael's  point, Group Captain  Virlan told his  audience : "I would like to  quote a  few  words from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , founder of the  Republic of Turkiye, about   Canakkale:'   Those heroes  that shed their blood and lost their lives , You are now lying in the soil of a   friendly country. Therefore  rest in peace. There is no difference between the   Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where the lie  side-by-side, here in this  country of ours.You, the mothers  who sent their sons  from far-away countries, wipe away your  tears: your  sons  are now lying in our bosom, and  are in peace. After having lost their lives  on this land, they have become our sons  as  well.'

Turkey's  UK  Air Attache, Group   Captain  Serkan  Virlan said: "Dear   Guests:   we  are  gathered  here in front of the  fallen, to remember  them and  pay our gratitude for their   sacrifices. We  shall remember  them  not only to recognise  their sacrifice but also to remind ourselves  and teach our  children how  horrible  wars  are. Most unfortunate human history is  written with conflicts and human  losses.
' Speaking of  history, we are here to commemorate  the  soldiers who fell  107 years ago in  Canakkale, Turkiye, where the soil was  washed with the blood of nearly 500,000 men, On the other hand, miraculously a  most  extraordinary relationship between nations  fighting against  each other occurred - a  relationship based on honourable behaviour and mutual  recognition of heroism  by both sides. "

 "That I assume  is  why we, the  grand, grand  children of the  fallen  are here standing, side by side, commemorating them now, and I am sure will be  for years to come." 

"I would like to  quote a  few  words from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk , founder of the  Republic of Turkiye, about   Canakkale:'   Those heroes  that shed their blood and lost their lives , You are now lying in the soil of a   friendly country. Therefore  rest in peace. There is no difference between the   Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where the lie  side-by-side, here in this  country of ours.You, the mothers  who sent their sons  from far-away countries, wipe away your  tears: your  sons  are now lying in our bosom, and  are in peace. After having lost their lives  on this land, they have become our sons  as  well.' 

"Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is an immortal hero to the  Turkish nation, and an extraordinary  leader and peacemaker recognised by the whole world.Having been in wars nearly  all his life, he was never in favour of armed  conflicts, describing his feelings  with these words: 'I look to the world with an open heart, full of pure feelings and friendship.' "

"This date,  April 23rd, also carries  another  significance: on this day in 1920, the first  Grand National Assembly of  Turkiye   was   founded, and  Mustafa Kemal  Ataturk  was its first elected  President.  Knowing that children are our future, this date was also declared  "National  Sovereignty and   Children's Day."

"If I may observe, my  family and yours, the  grand, grand children  of those who fell 107 years ago in Canakkale, standing side-by-side here, make me feel that that  was part of the grand plan, getting the next generations   together to create a  better  world."

"I  would like to end my  words with another  quotation from Ataturk :"Peace at home, Peace in the world". Thank you for giving me the honour to address this distinguished  gathering on this very special occasion."

Air Attaché's  speech  ends.

Turkey's   UK  Air Attache, Group   Captain  Serkan  Virlan, saluted Anzac and Turkish dead  from  two World Wars at Cambridge Cemetery  (Sat  April 23) to   commemorate   ANZAC  Day  this  year. (photocredit (photo supplied  gratis)  -  Carl Booty

Turkish Embassy London: Ambassador Yalçın, on the occasion of ANZAC Day, attended ceremonies at St. Paul's, Cenotaph and Westminster Abbey, and recited Atatürk's words to the mothers of ANZAC soldiers who fell in Gallipoli.