A commemoration program was held by the Samsun Governorship within the scope of 18 March Martyrs’ Remembrance Day and the 111th anniversary of the Çanakkale Naval Victory.

The ceremony, held at the Samsun Metropolitan Municipality (SBB) Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM), was attended by Samsun Governor Orhan Tavlı, Garrison Commander Veteran Major General Davut Alâ, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz representing Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), SBB Deputy Mayor Nihat Soğuk, district governors, mayors, military personnel, police, gendarmerie units, veterans, teachers, and students.

The program began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, followed by an opening speech by Necati Yılmaz, President of the Samsun Branch of the Association of War Disabled Veterans, Martyrs’ Widows and Orphans of Türkiye, highlighting the meaning and significance of the day.

Necati Yılmaz: “Çanakkale enabled a nation to declare its will for independence to the entire world”

Stating that they gathered to commemorate the martyrs on the 111th anniversary of the Çanakkale Naval Victory and to pass on their legacy to future generations, Necati Yılmaz said: “As we mark the 111th anniversary of the Çanakkale Naval Victory with its profound meaning, we are here to remember, commemorate, and honor the heroes who went to the front never to return for the sake of our sacred homeland, and to send prayers to our noble martyrs who fell for the nation. In 1915, against the world’s most powerful navies, we may have had limited weapons and ammunition, but the faith, love of homeland, and devotion in the hearts of our soldiers were greater than any force. It was this faith that overcame steel at Çanakkale and enabled a nation to declare its will for independence to the entire world.”

“Blessed are those who follow in the footsteps of our martyrs”

Emphasizing that the spirit of Çanakkale is the eternal seal of Türkiye’s freedom, Yılmaz stated: “Çanakkale is a unique epic where existence was achieved through hardship, where martyrdom is seen as honor and veteran status as dignity. The spirit of Çanakkale is the eternal seal of our freedom. It is not merely a battle but the rebirth of a nation and the greatest expression of its faith and belief in martyrdom. The will that opened the gates of Anatolia in Malazgirt in 1071, the national spirit manifested in Çanakkale in 1915, and the determination that rose for independence in Dumlupınar in 1922 have kept our nation standing strong throughout history. Blessed are those who follow in the footsteps of our martyrs; blessed are those who say ‘I am Turkish.’”

The program continued with the recitation of the poem “Selam Sana Şehidim” by Ahmet Diri, President of the Samsun Branch of the Turkish Veterans Association. This was followed by the poem “Al Bayrağım” recited by Kerem Fidan, a 5th-grade student at Atakum Akşemsettin Imam Hatip Secondary School and the son of disabled veteran Ali Fidan.

The program proceeded with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an and the dedication of completed recitations (hatim) to the martyrs.

The commemoration concluded with a theater and oratorio performance depicting the Çanakkale Victory.