Peace at Home, Peace in the World

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

Today is Cannakale Day, a day of Victory and rememberance in Turkey for the battle of Gallipoli, Cannakale, between April 1915 - January 1916 when it is estimated, 100,000+ young men, boys, the same age or hardly older than the kids I teach now- Turk, British, French and Anzacs - lost their lives. One of the most important and sombre days of our year, the special ceremony at school included a performance by the Dance group with choreography strongly influenced by that of the Turkish Whirling Dervish and seemed to me to fill the entire stage with movement in the red of fire and blood.

In 2008, Dad and I visited the battle fields and cemeteries of Gallipoli. Written on the war memorial are these poignant words spoken by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, wonderful orator and extraordinary leader of men:

"Heroes who 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 Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their 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."