Mehmetçik Monument in the Youth Park
About
The Youth Park and Mehmetçik Monument, built in cooperation with the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality and the Aegean Army Command on the Üçkuyular Oyak Site, were opened with a ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2002.
The opening ceremony for the giant Mehmetçik Monument, which stands 23 meters tall including its pedestal and is visible from many parts of the park and Izmir, was attended by Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Piriştina; Izmir Governor Aladdin Yüksel; Aegean Army Commander General Hurşit Tolon; Mayors of Balçova, Narlıdere, and Konak; Ali İhsan Ülker, Abdül Batur, and Erdal İzgi; NATO Southeastern Europe Joint Forces Commander General Oktar Ataman; Southern Sea Area Commander Vice Admiral Yener Karahanoğlu; and Air Training Commander Lieutenant General Batmaz Dandin.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Piriştina stated in his speech at the ceremony that General Doğu Aktulga, who was the Aegean Army Commander when he took office, had considered creating a monument on the hill above the Oyak Site, and that he immediately initiated research.
Piriştina said, “At the time, I discovered that such a decision had been overturned by the executive committee and the implementation postponed. We then took steps to implement it. We made a preliminary agreement with sculptors Fulden Bak and Bülent Bayrak. Later, Mr. Aktulga retired, and General Çetin Doğan took his place. He was as committed to this project as Aktulga Pasha. He showed even more sensitivity than I did during the construction process. Then, Mr. Hurşit Tolon Pasha took over as the Aegean Army Commander. He displayed the same understanding and exerted great effort throughout the completion. I extend my gratitude to the commanders who contributed to the conception and implementation of this monument, and I sincerely congratulate our sculptors.” İzmir Governor Alaaddin Yüksel pointed out that a beautiful monument had been erected to commemorate the Turkish soldiers, to express our gratitude, and to immortalize them. He said, “This monument has become a memorial for the Turkish soldiers in İzmir.”
In his speech, Aegean Army Commander General Hurşit Tolonda reminded the audience that Atatürk entrusted the defense and preservation of the Turkish Republic to the Turkish youth and the Turkish soldiers. He concluded his remarks as follows:
“During the continuation of the War of Independence, the Great Leader Atatürk recognized that those who would advance the Turkish nation and challenge outdated ideas were those with young minds. When speaking of young people, Atatürk frequently referred to youth in thought, beyond age limits. His words are profoundly significant: Young-minded means someone who sees and understands the truth.
With this in mind, he entrusted the eternal defense and preservation of the Republic of Turkey with great confidence to the Turkish youth and the Turkish soldiers.” Our existence and this legacy will be carried hand in hand by the youth and our soldiers to present and future generations. The unveiling of this monument in Izmir, our beautiful city that holds dear Hasan Tahsin, where our struggle for independence began and where the first bullet was fired, is profoundly significant.
As can be seen from the speeches, this Martyrs' Memorial, erected in Gençlik Park, is of great significance due to its location in Izmir.
The opening ceremony for the giant Mehmetçik Monument, which stands 23 meters tall including its pedestal and is visible from many parts of the park and Izmir, was attended by Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Piriştina; Izmir Governor Aladdin Yüksel; Aegean Army Commander General Hurşit Tolon; Mayors of Balçova, Narlıdere, and Konak; Ali İhsan Ülker, Abdül Batur, and Erdal İzgi; NATO Southeastern Europe Joint Forces Commander General Oktar Ataman; Southern Sea Area Commander Vice Admiral Yener Karahanoğlu; and Air Training Commander Lieutenant General Batmaz Dandin.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Piriştina stated in his speech at the ceremony that General Doğu Aktulga, who was the Aegean Army Commander when he took office, had considered creating a monument on the hill above the Oyak Site, and that he immediately initiated research.
Piriştina said, “At the time, I discovered that such a decision had been overturned by the executive committee and the implementation postponed. We then took steps to implement it. We made a preliminary agreement with sculptors Fulden Bak and Bülent Bayrak. Later, Mr. Aktulga retired, and General Çetin Doğan took his place. He was as committed to this project as Aktulga Pasha. He showed even more sensitivity than I did during the construction process. Then, Mr. Hurşit Tolon Pasha took over as the Aegean Army Commander. He displayed the same understanding and exerted great effort throughout the completion. I extend my gratitude to the commanders who contributed to the conception and implementation of this monument, and I sincerely congratulate our sculptors.” İzmir Governor Alaaddin Yüksel pointed out that a beautiful monument had been erected to commemorate the Turkish soldiers, to express our gratitude, and to immortalize them. He said, “This monument has become a memorial for the Turkish soldiers in İzmir.”
In his speech, Aegean Army Commander General Hurşit Tolonda reminded the audience that Atatürk entrusted the defense and preservation of the Turkish Republic to the Turkish youth and the Turkish soldiers. He concluded his remarks as follows:
“During the continuation of the War of Independence, the Great Leader Atatürk recognized that those who would advance the Turkish nation and challenge outdated ideas were those with young minds. When speaking of young people, Atatürk frequently referred to youth in thought, beyond age limits. His words are profoundly significant: Young-minded means someone who sees and understands the truth.
With this in mind, he entrusted the eternal defense and preservation of the Republic of Turkey with great confidence to the Turkish youth and the Turkish soldiers.” Our existence and this legacy will be carried hand in hand by the youth and our soldiers to present and future generations. The unveiling of this monument in Izmir, our beautiful city that holds dear Hasan Tahsin, where our struggle for independence began and where the first bullet was fired, is profoundly significant.
As can be seen from the speeches, this Martyrs' Memorial, erected in Gençlik Park, is of great significance due to its location in Izmir.