Üsküdar Üniversitesi Health Services Vocational School (SHMYO) Social Services Program, in cooperation with Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services Martyrs' Relatives and Veterans Unit and Üsküdar Social Services Center, organized the "Homeland and Heroism Meetings" event. The second event was attended by Cyprus Veteran Erol Eryalçın and Gülcan Öztürkmen, mother of Turkish Armed Forces Martyr Duabey Onur Öztürkmen, and his brother Fatih Öztürkmen.
Academicians and students, including Rector's Advisor Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış, Head of Social Services Program at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Health Services Vocational School (SHMYO) Dr. Lecturer Melek Çaylak, Cyprus Veteran Erol Eryalçın, and Gülcan Öztürkmen, mother of Turkish Armed Forces Martyr Duabey Onur Öztürkmen, and his brother Fatih Öztürkmen, attended the event held at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Çarşı Campus Emir Nebi Conference Hall.
Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış: “Sacred memories must be a volcano within us”
Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış delivered the opening speech of the program. Barış said; “We may not feel the volcanoes and storms in the inner world of a mother and father who have lost their child, but let them know that in the spiritual essence of this nation, the sacred memories of those martyrs and veterans who shed their blood must be a volcano within us. This is how we can distinguish between what is national and what is not. In this sense, I commemorate all our martyrs with mercy.”
Erol Eryalçın: “We divided a loaf of bread into 21 pieces and shared it”
Cyprus Veteran Erol Eryalçın delivered his speech during the program. Eryalçın said; “We entered Cyprus with tanks during 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. Due to what we saw and experienced, we forgot our homes and families. We couldn't even remember our mothers' names. We witnessed such massacres against Turks that we were all deeply affected. I am a veteran 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, mother of Martyr Onur Öztürkmen, spoke about her son's devotion to his homeland. Öztürkmen said; “My Onur was going to get married after finishing school. I wanted to have a grandchild, but Allah wrote a different destiny. He was encouraging me to go abroad, but I wanted to go for Umrah. After he became a martyr, I saw him in my dream in his uniform and he told me, 'You will go to Mecca, to Medina.' I started wearing a headscarf after I lost him. I wish I had embarked on this path earlier.”
Reminding the youth of her son's words, “Obedience to our homeland is obedience to our Lord,” the mother appealed to them, saying, “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, brother of Turkish Armed Forces Martyr Duabey Onur Öztürkmen, addressed the youth. Öztürkmen emphasized national consciousness and a sense of responsibility by saying; “As young people, the burden on our shoulders is very heavy. Today, soldiers protecting our homeland on the front are of the same age as us. If someone ever tells you, 'You are young, you can't do it,' just ask yourself this question: 'If someone my age is managing operations in Iraq, Syria, across the border, why shouldn't I succeed?'”
At the end of his speech, the young man thanked the institutions and organizations that supported the events, saying, “These kinds of events are very important for us. I hope they have created awareness for you too.” This meaningful message from the martyr's family created emotional moments for those in the hall.
Dr. Lecturer Melek Çaylak: “We all serve to render service to our homeland”
Head of Social Services Program Dr. Lecturer Melek Çaylak said; “This homeland belongs to all of us, this land belongs to all of us, this state belongs to all of us, and every soul exists to keep this homeland standing, and we all serve to render service to our homeland. I serve in my field for this homeland. My professors here serve in their fields. Our soldiers serve in their fields. You students will serve in your fields and will continue to do so.”
Participants experienced unforgettable moments with ney recital, video screening, and poetry recital at the event held at Üsküdar Üniversitesi.
The event concluded with a group photo session after the presentation of certificates of appreciation.