Today is September 19, Veterans Day.

In commemoration of Veterans Day, ceremonies were held at the Atatürk Monument in Lefkoşa and the Boğaz Martyrs’ Cemetery.

A ceremony was held in front of the Atatürk Monument in Lefkoşa at 9am on the occasion of September 19 Veterans Day.

As part of the day, another ceremony was also held at the Boğaz Martyrs’ Cemetery at 10am.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, the acting President and Speaker of Parliament Zorlu Töre described the notion of martyrdom as the highest honour that could be bestowed on someone. He also referred to the words of Atatürk, describing gallantry as a medal and martyrdom as the greatest honour that could be bestowed on someone.

He emphasized that many lives were sacrificed to make the lands a homeland.

Töre underlined the importance of independence and emphasized that it should not be taken lightly.

He stated that Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will be supported forever, even if there is a solution in Cyprus.

Töre expressed the commitment to follow in the footsteps of Atatürk and mentioned that the late Presidents Rauf R. Denktaş and Dr. Fazıl Küçük were also veterans.

Meanwhile, President Ersin Tatar earlier issued a message to mark the significance of the day.

In his message, the President noted that the anniversary of the day when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was awarded the title of “Gazi” by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on September 19, 1921, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and pride as “Veterans Day”.

“The Turkish nation has established states as a result of the struggles of our martyrs and veterans who fought for their country; it has always stood by its flag, freedom, and future.” Tatar said.

The president pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots today were upholding their sovereignty and freedom with the consciousness of their spiritual legacy inherited from their ancestors in their own state.

He also added that the Turkish Cypriot people, in the struggle for independence, sovereignty, and freedom that has been going on in Cyprus for over a century, achieved freedom and peace with the Cyprus Peace Operation carried out by the guarantor country and motherland Türkiye.

“Our greatest responsibility to our veterans, martyrs, and children is to glorify, develop, and defend our state” President Tatar said and added, “With these feelings and thoughts, I respectfully remember our martyrs who gave their lives for a dignified life in the years of the national struggle, including our leader Dr. Fazıl Küçük and our Founding President Rauf Raif Denktaş, and our late veterans. I express my gratitude to our living veterans and wish them a healthy life.”