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Turkey

Gallipoli - Memorial at Anzac Cove by Ataturk.<br />
"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives…<br />
You are now living in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours…<br />
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway 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."<br />
Ataturk, 1934

TURKEY | Tuesday, 24 April 2007 | Views [10468] | Comments [21]

Gallipoli - Memorial at Anzac Cove by Ataturk.
"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives…
You are now living in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours…
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway 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."
Ataturk, 1934

Tags: gallipoli, anzac, anzac cove, turkey, ataturk, anzac memorial

Comments

1

Can you imagine the humanism of these words? Can you show any leader who can say such words now? And can you imagine the world if we, all human beings, have such leader! ATATURK, every people of the world must learn about him! And ever people must pray to God for such a leader. ATATURK FOREVER!

mustafa cinaroglu Mar 19, 2008 7:58 AM

2

One can only e touched my these words, the world would be different, if there were more leaders like that.

Kim Eggert Feb 6, 2009 9:36 PM

3

If we had been smart eneough to listen to people like this at the end of both wars...we would have ended all war then.
Amen

batley craig Mar 21, 2009 8:56 AM

4

Mustafa Kamal Attaturk was a leader for the ages. I wish more people in the west knew of his legacy.

Philip McConnell Oct 22, 2009 2:15 PM

5

He is also known offering peace to the world by saying "peace at home, peace in the world". He was not only a great soldier, also a great statesman and a leader. I was wondering what Ataturk and Patton would say to each other? Any ideas?

Musti Akyol Jul 12, 2010 2:56 PM

6

If everyone was aware of his mighty words the world would be a different place one man can change the nation! Mustafa kemal ataturk

Ertok Aug 6, 2010 11:34 AM

7

I am from Gallipoli and I can guess what these words can mean, Ataturk was a great leader, great humanist and Anzacs are our siblings, knowing the value of Ataturk and commemorating their ancestries

aysegul Nov 22, 2010 2:22 AM

8

My great grandfather fought in WW1, and recieved the Military Medal, something of pride for the family. But with that pride comes a sense of, respect. He lived during the war, and killed (bayonetted no less) men who also had families and loved ones, fighting for their country for whatever reasons. It's only helped to form my sense of horror in general at war. Such tragedy, even for the 'enemy', to lose such lifes.

These words of Ataturk are perhaps the most poetic, perfect, words I have ever read. They speak volumes of the man, and I tear up every time I hear them. I know very little of Ataturk beyond these words, but I think he must have been a great person. Such a shame that our two countries met in war (I'm Australian) rather then friendship.

Az Feb 23, 2011 10:56 PM

9

This is so beautiful.

ray Mar 11, 2011 10:52 AM

10

incredibly beautiful

Guest Mar 19, 2011 4:50 AM

11

My Grandfather survived the Galippoli and went on to fight others later. He was telling me stories about it when I was a little child. Yes Ataturk's words were very comforting for the Anzac mothers. Still put tears into eyes of many people as they read it including mine. I think people should read more about him and find out his other statements that he made. His leadership was great not only as a soldier but also as a leader of the nation later he became. Today Middle Eastern people still looking for their Ataturk but no vail. There was only one. Turks are lucky nation. I hope in the future leaders learn from him. He had almost nothing when he died. He worked for his people and his nation. Today no other leader can accomplish what he did in short time. God bless his sole.

Musti May 4, 2011 12:10 PM

12

I have visited Turkey three times now, and I absolutely love the country and the people. Sadly I have not made it to Gallipoli. I too cannot read or talk about those words with a dry eye.
Ataturk is beloved by the Turks today, as befits a great man. And to mention to a Turk that you are Australian wins you an even warmer welcome than the usually very warm welcome.
I've met waiters in resorts who have tears in their eyes when I say I am from Australia.
I really do love Turkey and recommend it as a tourist destination for all Aussies and Kiwis.
I hope to get to Gallipoli at least once in this lifetime.

Russell Cunning Aug 3, 2011 11:51 AM

13

i've long thought Kemal Atatürk's words inscribed here one of the most gracious things i've ever come across

kevin sharpe Sep 21, 2011 6:44 AM

14

As a turk, when I fist read these words I got tears in my eyes. I can not even imagine how a mother or father would have felt when they read these words after they had lost their beloved son in foreign country thousand miles away from home. Yes, Atatruk was a great man and did great things not only for turks both also others. I would strongly advise you to read more about him. I can tell many things about him. But I will only tell one more episode before I finish: When turkish army re-entered Izmir(turkish city at Agean coast) after pushing back greeks who invated west Turkey after the WW1 some turkish representative in Izmir put a greek flag on the stairs of government head office so that when Ataturk came he could step on it. When he arrived he immediately ordered those people to take the greek flag gently from the ground an pack it ordentlig. He said this flag reperesented greek people and it was unacceptable to step on it. He also added that we had no problem with people in Greece eventhough we were in war with them. Amazing is it not?

Murat Gencher Oct 18, 2011 9:11 PM

15

I am an Australian military officer with 48 years in an Air Force uniform. I cannot think of finer and more kinder words that could be said by a former foe. Sir, I dips me lid! (This may be lost to some, but in good old Australian; Sir I lift my hat and salute you)

Len Bowen Dec 4, 2011 4:52 PM

16

beautiful..

sert Dec 14, 2011 9:00 PM

17

SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS AGO WE WENT TO GALLIPOLI AND SAW THIS LOVELY TRIBUTE TO THE ANZACS,WHAT A GREAT MAN ATATURK WAS

ALAN SANDERSON Feb 17, 2012 10:13 AM

18

This should be compulsory reading in every primary and secondary school. Why did I not know about this until recently? These words are the most precious gift given to us by Turkey and I am amazed that it is not a highlight in learning. What an amazing and incredibly gracious man Ataturk was. Thank you Turkey for allowing us to "own" Anzac Cove and taking care of our fallen.

Sally Apr 25, 2012 12:45 PM

19

We were watching the ANZAC Day broadcast from Galipolli and I wanted to read Ataturk's words to my mum as she had never heard them. Just like the first time I read them, I felt emotional and it was hard to get them out without my voice breaking. Very beautiful words from a humane soul.

Lyn Apr 25, 2012 12:52 PM

20

These words were inscribed in giant Turkish letters in the cliff side many years ago. Wonder if they are still there. They could be read from miles away and left me stuck with awe.

Steve Apr 25, 2012 2:18 PM

21

I first heard these words read over a louder speaker on a British ship sailing past the moument. I was struck by the tenderness and empathy of the founder of modern day Turkey.

Diana Dawson May 10, 2012 6:26 AM