18.05.2016 Ankara
In his press release for the May 19th Atatürk Memorial, Youth and Sports Day, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, stating that May 19th 1919 is a very significant day on which the seeds of resistance against the invading forces of foreign powers, said, “Our Republic and independence, is a charge from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk to our youth. They will carry us on to the level of advanced civilizations. I celebrate this important day of our great nation, which never compromised its honor or independence during its existence.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu said in his statement:
“Our great nation showed the whole world that we will never surrender
our freedom with our fight for independence under the Veteran, Mustafa Kemal
Atatürk; today is the anniversary of one of the great days in our history.
May 19th 1919, on which Atatürk landed in Samsun, is a very
important turning point for our national struggle. We remember with gratitude
those who gave their lives for the hallowed efforts which began there and ended
only with the complete expulsion of the invasion forces from our homeland.
There have always been traitors who target our unity and solidarity and
the security of our country; and there always will be. The terror attacks we
are facing today are just another reflection of this. Our heroic Mehmets, just
like Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and their grandfathers, are retaliating against all
aggressors who target our country with the utmost diligence. They are our
martyrs. Their last payers are broken parts of the soul of every citizen of
this country. It is our most sacred charge to be worthy of their sacrifice in
preserving the unity and solidarity of our country and protecting its future.
The youth of this country and the generation they will bring up will be
the guardians of this most sacred charge and also its owners.
On behalf of the Turkish private sector, I celebrate the May 19th
Atatürk Memorial, Youth and Sports Day and salute with gratitude and respect
our martyrs and veterans.”