-CEREMONY HELD AT 57TH REGIMENT MARTYRDOM
CANAKKALE - A ceremony took place at the 57th Regiment Martyrdom on Friday as part of activities to mark the 93rd anniversary of the Canakkale Battles.
The ceremony began by laying wreaths, a minute of silence and singing of Turkish national anthem.
Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Unakitan, Commander of the 1st Army Gen. Ismail Kocman, Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon, and New Zealand FM Winston Peters participated in the ceremony alongside with representatives from Bangladesh, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Pakistan, South Africa and Britain.
Speaking at the ceremony, Major Tevfik Kurnaz said that the 57th Regiment had played an important role to decide the fate of the Canakkale Battles.
"The 57th Regiment changed the course of the battles and prevented the success of landing (foreign) troops," Kurnaz said.
Almost all hands of the 57th Regiment were martyred during the Canakkale Battles.
The activities to mark the 93rd anniversary of the Canakkale Battles ended on Friday with ceremonies held at the Lone Pine (Tek Cam) and Conkbayiri.
Speaking at the ceremony held in Lone Pine, Australian Defense Minister Fitzgibbon said that Gallipoli has a special place in the hearts of Australians.
"The monument at Lone Pine reminds us 8,709 Australian soldiers as well as Turkish, British, New Zealandan, French and Indian troops who fell in the Canakkale Battles. We are proud with the courage displayed by Australian soldiers," Fitzgibbon said.
Speaking at the ceremony held at Conkbayiri, New Zealandan Foreign Minister Peters said that "regardless of their nationality, the courage and bravery displayed by all soldiers will be remembered with great respect".
(SOL-ULG)