President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized Turkey’s deep historical roots and enduring presence in the region during a ceremony at Beştepe Millet Congress and Culture Center, where 630 relatives of martyrs, veterans, and veteran families were assigned to public service positions.
Addressing attendees, Erdoğan stated, “We are not guests in this land; we are the hosts. We have not just recently appeared on the stage of history. No one can give us a history lesson. We will remain here until the end of time.”
The ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, brought together families of fallen soldiers and veterans. Erdoğan expressed his heartfelt respect for those who sacrificed their lives for the nation, saying, “With all my heart and every fiber of my being, I remember our martyrs, your brave sons, with mercy. May God bless their noble souls, grant them paradise, and elevate their ranks.”
Marking the eve of Veterans Day, Erdoğan congratulated all veterans, prayed for the living, and remembered those who have passed away. He highlighted the sacred trust these martyrs left behind, saying, “This homeland and these lands are entrusted to us by our cherished martyrs.”
Referencing the Quran, Erdoğan reminded the audience of the eternal presence of martyrs: “Even if we do not fully comprehend it, our martyrs are alive and rewarded by God. Their spiritual presence accompanies us, just as it has for centuries, and it will never leave us until the end of time.” He added that no act could fully repay the debt owed to martyrs and veterans, who represent the highest honor in the eyes of the nation.
Erdoğan also addressed the importance of caring for the families of martyrs and veterans, calling them “precious legacies” of those who sacrificed for the nation. He pledged the state’s continued support and vigilance, stating, “The compassionate hand of our state will always remain over you. Your problems are our problems, your joys are our joys, and we will do everything in our power to resolve them.”
Turning to regional issues, Erdoğan condemned ongoing violence in Gaza and the broader region, saying, “The perpetrators of massacres, led by Netanyahu, attack countries every day without limits in cruelty and barbarism. We are not guests, nor are we invaders—we are the hosts of this land. We have been here for a thousand years and will remain until the end of time. Imperialist and Zionist bloodshed-driven forces will never achieve their hidden agendas.”
The ceremony concluded with the announcement that 51,947 relatives of martyrs, veterans, and veteran families have now been employed in public institutions, underscoring the state’s commitment to honoring the sacrifices of those who defended the nation.
