Ceremony held in Lefkoşa to mark Veterans’ Day and the 105th anniversary of Atatürk being granted the title of gazi

An official ceremony was held at the Atatürk Monument in Lefkoşa to mark September 19 — Veterans’ Day and the 105th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk being granted the title of gazi.

Representatives of the Turkish Peace Forces Command in Cyprus and the Security Forces Command, members of the TRNC Parliament, and representatives of public organizations and institutions took part in the ceremony. It began with the laying of wreaths at the monument in accordance with protocol, followed by a minute of silence, the performance of the İstiklal March and the raising of the flags.

Ahmet Vural, secretary-general of the Society of Turkish Peace Forces Veterans, delivered a speech. He recalled that the titles of marshal and gazi were granted to Commander-in-Chief Mustafa Kemal on September 19, 1921, and described the status of gazi as “an invisible medal of honor that history places on the chest of those who are ready to give their lives.” Vural wished all veterans good health and honored the memory of those who died in the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots.