National Arboretum

[Bryn]

This was posted over on UKgser, thought it was worth sharing.



"While there for the "RTTW" I was having a look around. At the Galipoli memorial (somewhat close to my heart as my Grandad was there) I saw a quote that will stay with me. For some reason that I can't put my finger on, I thought it worth sharing. It read...."


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 they 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. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

Q. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

Quite moving I think    The original is apparently on a memorial at Gallipoli. Ataturk was a Turkish defence commander.

Mustafa Kemal
The Gallipoli campaign gave an important boost to the career of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a little-known, low-ranking army officer whose success at Gallipoli made him a national hero. He was promoted to Pasha and, with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I, became the founder of the modern Turkish state with the title Atatürk, the Father of Turkey.
With other Turkish officers, Mustafa Kemal halted and eventually repelled the Allied advance, Mustafa Kemal exceeding his authority and contravening orders in so doing. His speech "I do not command you to fight, I command you to die. In the time it will take us to die we can be replenished by new forces" (Turkish: "Ben size taaruzu değil, ölmeyi emrediyorum. Biz ölünceye kadar geçecek zaman zarfında yerimize başka kuvvetler ve kumandanlar geçebilir") has entered history. The 57th Regiment, led by Lieutenant Colonel Hüseyin Avni, fulfilled the order precisely. The entire regiment fell in battle.

[Cartman]

That's a very poignant quote indeed. We are, contrary to what some would have us believe, all human


Ataturk was an amazing character and leader, and I think this illustrates that very well.