Rememberance Sunday and Gallopli

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
04/11/2009 12:38

With Rememberance Sunday upon us some here might like to read the dedication

given by Kemal Ataturk IN 1936 to the fallen at Gallopli.



'' 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 YOUR SONS FROM FAR AWAY COUNTRIES

WIPE AWAY YOUR TEARS;

YOUR SONS ARE NOW LYING IN OUR BOSOM AND ARE IN PEACE.

AFTER HAVING LOST THEIR LIVES ON THIS LAND

THEY HAVE BECOME OUR SONS AS WELL. ''

mamachina


Joined: 22/11/2008
Posts: 730

Message Posted:
04/11/2009 12:44

Back to Rupert Brooke - "There is some corner of a foreign field that is forever England..." ??? Once dead you're dead, does it matter where you lie? Yes, it does to the relations and friends - I remember Murder Mile although quite young (!?) and all British or Commonwealth troops have a right to be recognised and have a memorial here - and Turkish troops - were the TC's actually in a real army? This memorial thing can get people a bit "hung up" in protocol methinks

Smiffies


Joined: 19/05/2009
Posts: 234

Message Posted:
04/11/2009 12:50

The soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.



'Step forward now, you soldier,

How shall I deal with you ?

Have you always turned the other cheek ?

To My Church have you been true?'



The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.



I've had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I've been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.



But, I never took a penny,

That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.



And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I've wept unmanly tears.



I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears.



If you've a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I

Smiffies


Joined: 19/05/2009
Posts: 234

Message Posted:
04/11/2009 12:52

Continued



I never expected or had too much,

But if you don't, I'll understand.



There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.



'Step forward now, you soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell.'



Author Unknown

everon


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
04/11/2009 13:01

My husbands grandfather was killed at Gallipoli, we went last year as the first in the family to pay our respects. We stood in the very field where he was killed. The Turkish people were lovely to us, shaking our hands and embracing us. We paid our respects together, after all they had also lost loved ones. One man gave us a copy of Kemal Ataturks dedication, we will always treasure that day, we all came together to honour our dead. All the graves were beautifully tended, for all nationalities, RIP brave soldiers xx

everon


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
04/11/2009 17:28

where can I buy my poppy x

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
04/11/2009 18:16

Eve. You can buy your poppy on Saturday night at the 5 Fingers when you are there.They have them on the bar .

everon


Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 956

Message Posted:
04/11/2009 20:45

oh cheers, thanks !!!!! will do x

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
04/11/2009 20:53

Oh Smiffies, that is so beautiful, thank you for taking the time to post it.

Mindy



Joined: 27/10/2008
Posts: 1210

Message Posted:
04/11/2009 21:00

Smiffie

That was so beautiful, it gave me goose bumps.

taraspring


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
05/11/2009 00:38

I had the honour, and was so very humbled to visit the graves of the brave young men who died in the Galipoli Campaign at Anzac cove. It was a very moving experience, and one I will never ever forget. My grandfather came home from that campaign (which should never have happened anyway) but so many on both sides didnt. Please support Remembrance Day, to remember those brave service personnel in all campaigns who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. thank you. x



T

Bowman


Joined: 02/05/2007
Posts: 256

Message Posted:
05/11/2009 10:56

LEST WE FORGET............

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
05/11/2009 18:42

attaturk great statesman

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
05/11/2009 18:54

cyprusairsoft

Absolutely, he was the man that changed the face of Turkey for ever.

Have you read ATATURK by Andrew Mango? A must read for anyone that wants an understanding of the changes he brought to Turkey. ISBN No. 0-7195-8592-8

AJ

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
06/11/2009 00:35

Thanks for printing those lines about the soldier and his 'reward'. That poem will be read on Sunday at Famagusta as part of the cemetery's Remembrance Ceremony. They brought tears to my eyes when I read it, and it is interesting that it has come to me again through Cyprus44. There are other variations on this, but this one reminds us all that sometimes duty involves us in doing things we have always been told are wrong, and it is good to know that we are not judged too harshly for being 'victims' of the system.

And this sunday, not only do we all remember the soldiers from our homelands who gave of themselves (some with no choice) but also to remember how many have died here to try to give this island freedom and peace. We must NEVER forget, as it is in remebering with a postive attitude that we can go forward into a better future. Forgetting helps bitterness and hatred to fester.