“Homeland and Heroism meetings" continues...

The "Homeland and Heroism Meetings" event was organized in cooperation with Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (VSHS) Social Services Program, Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, Martyrs' Relatives and Veterans Unit and Üsküdar Social Service Center. The event, which was held for the second time, was attended by Gülcan Öztürkmen, the mother of Cyprus Veteran Erol Eryalçın and Turkish Armed Forces Martyr Duabey Onur Öztürkmen, and his brother Fatih Öztürkmen.

The event held at Üsküdar University Çarşı Campus Emir Nebi Conference Hall was attended by Advisor to the Rector Prof. İsmail Barış and Üsküdar University Vocational School of Health Services (VSHS) Social Services Program Head Asst. Prof. Melek Çaylak, Cyprus Veteran Erol Eryalçın, Turkish Armed Forces Martyr Duabey Onur Öztürkmen's mother Gülcan Öztürkmen and his brother Fatih Öztürkmen, academicians and students.

Prof. İsmail Barış: "Cherished memories have to be volcanoes within us"

The opening speech of the program was made by Prof. İsmail Barış. Barış stated that "We may not feel the volcanoes and storms in the inner world of a mother and father who have lost their children, but they should know that the cherished memories of those martyrs and veterans who gave their blood must be a volcano within us. This is where we can distinguish between the national and the non-national. In this sense, I commemorate all our martyrs with mercy."

Erol Eryalçın: "We shared a loaf of bread by dividing it into 21 pieces"

In the program, Cyprus Veteran Erol Eryalçın made his speech. Eryalcın stated that "We entered Cyprus with tanks in the first landing. On the second day of our arrival, we divided a loaf of bread into 21 pieces and shared it. War is a very painful thing. We have forgotten our home and our family because of what we have seen and experienced. We could not even remember our mother's names. We saw such massacres against the Turks that we were all very affected. I am a veteran who is proud of my Turkishness. I embrace you all with love."

Gülcan Öztürkmen: "There may be difficulties in life, but we must protect our faith and values"

Gülcan Öztürkmen, the mother of martyr Onur Öztürkmen, talked about her son's devotion to his homeland. Öztürkmen stated that "My Onur was going to get married when he finished school. I would have liked to have a grandchild, but my Lord wrote a different fate. He was encouraging me to go abroad, but I wanted to go to Umrah. After he was martyred, I saw him in his uniform in a dream and he said to me, 'You will go to Mecca and Medina.' After I lost him, I have started to wear hijab. I wish I had taken this path earlier."

Reminding her son's words, "Obedience to our homeland is obedience to our Lord", the mother addressed the young people and said, "There may be difficulties in life, but we must protect our faith and values."

Fatih Öztürkmen: "As young people, the burden on our shoulders is very heavy"

Fatih Öztürkmen, the brother of the Turkish Armed Forces Martyr Duabey Onur Öztürkmen, addressed the youth. Öztürkmen stated that "As young people, the burden on our shoulders is very heavy. Today, the soldiers who protect our homeland at the front are the same age as us. If one day someone comes to you and says, 'You are young, you can't do it,' just ask yourself this question: 'Why can't I succeed when someone my age is leading operations in Iraq, Syria and across the border?'"

At the end of his speech, the young man thanked the institutions and organizations that supported the organizations and said, "Such events are very important for us. I hope it has raised awareness for you as well." This meaningful message of the martyr's family gave emotional moments to those in the hall.

Asst. Prof. Melek Çaylak: "We all serve to serve the country"

Head of Social Services Program Asst. Prof. Melek Çaylak stated that "This homeland belongs to all of us, this land belongs to all of us, this state belongs to all of us, and every life exists to keep this homeland alive, and we all serve to serve the homeland. I serve this country in my field. My professors here serve in their field. Our soldiers serve in their field. You, the students, will serve in your field and will continue to do so."

At the event held at Üsküdar University, the participants had unforgettable moments with ney concerts, video screenings and poetry recitals. The event ended with a group photo shoot after the presentation of certificates of appreciation.

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)