ANKARA - August 30 Victory and Turkish Armed Forces Day has been celebrated throughout Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
The first ceremony took place at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of modern and secular Republic of Turkey.
General Staff Chief General Hilmi Ozkok; Land Forces Commander General Aytac Yalman; Naval Forces Commander Admiral Bulent Alpkaya; Air Forces Commander General Cumhur Asparuk; Gendarmerie Forces Commander General Sener Eruygur; National Security Council (NSC) Secretary General General Tuncer Kilinc; General Staff Deputy Chief General Yasar Buyukanit; Land Forces Command Staff Chairman General Ilker Basbug and other high-ranking military officials paid a visit to the mausoleum of Ataturk to mark August 30 Victory and Turkish Armed Forces Day.
General Ozkok laid a wreath of red and white carnations to the mausoleum, and observed a minute of silence out of respect to Great Leader Ataturk.
Later, he signed the special book of the mausoleum, saying,
''Great leader and great statesman Ataturk,
Today, we are pleased with being before your presence at the 80th anniversary of our great victory.
The Turkish Armed Forces which has become the most modern and powerful force of its region, will continue to be worthy of your and Turkish nations' confidence by protecting this beautiful country against internal and external enemies with a determination to reach the targets you put forward.
The Turkish Armed Forces consider your reforms and principles its life style. We are grateful to you and your brothers in arm.''