Turkish American community is commemorating today the 100th Anniversary of The Naval Victory at The Battles of Gallipoli and 18 March Martyr’s Day. Each year, Australia and New Zealand conduct commemorative services in Gallipoli, which are the largest ANZAC Day celebrations held outside their countries.

100 years ago the naval campaign launched by Allied Forces to take the control of the Dardanelles Straits was ended on March 18th with the great victory of Turkish soldiers. After the failure of naval attack, Allied Forces begun their land campaign on April 25, 1915. Under the leadership of the front-line commander Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkish forces won the land battles with a heroic defense despite material hardships and impoverished state of Turkish forces.

On this day, we do not only honor tens of thousands of Turkish soldiers and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who made great sacrifices in defending their country 100 years ago, but also fallen soldiers of all nations who fought in a foreign land far away from their homeland. It is our wish that The 100th Anniversary of the Battles of Gallipoli will be remembered as a symbol of lasting peace and friendship in the world.