Transportation, Maritime and Communications Minister Ahmet Arslan noted that all throughout Turkey citizens were on duty to protect the country’s independence and future. He said, “Everyone should know that our martyrs have entrusted 80 million. We as a nation will keep our promise to our heroes.”
Minister Arslan took part in the memorial ceremony organized at the Türksat Martyrs Monument, which was commissioned to commemorate Ahmet Özsoy and Ali Karslı, who became martyrs during the attacks made on Türksat during the 15 July coup attempt. The holy Qur'an was read and prayers were made.
Speaking at the memorial ceremony, Arslan pointed out that because it was the first year marking 15 July, everywhere in Turkey, citizens were on duty to protect the country’s independence and future. He said:
“Our citizens are outside to show that they are ready to reach martyrdom just like our 250 martyrs, just like our veterans they are ready to be veterans on the road to martyrdom. Along with our colleagues, our families, citizens of Gölbaşı we are here at Türksat, where for the cause it gave two martyrs 4 veterans. With this consciousness, we will fulfill our duty to the very end. We will fight till death for the sake of this flag to fly high, just as the call of prayer were announced that night, for it to never cease being announced.”
Emphasizing that the martyrs, who without blinking an eye, gave their lives for the sake of homeland will always be sacred, Arslan continued his speech with the following words:
“Everyone should know that our martyrs have entrusted 80 million. Ladies and children alike are our sister, our child. We will always be a big brother to their children, always be an uncle to them. We as a nation will keep our promise to our heroes. No one should doubt this. I would like to thank the families of our martyrs for the courage and upright stance they have shown.”
Arslan stated that heroic examples set by the martyrs is one to be proud and happy about, he added:
“We as 80 million, state that we will always stand up for this country's independence, future, and continuation. This noble nation will always be a protector to the oppressed and sufferers of the world. Anatolia will continue to be a safe haven. May God never make us experience such a thing ever again. If necessary, these folks will write history again. That’s the way it should be known.”
Minister Arslan also spoke to the people in his hometown of Kars via live broadcast.