Anzac Day in Gallipoli

There were 16 to 20 thousand people attending the Anzac Day ceremonies in Gallipoli (Gelibolu).

Most of these were visitors from abroad. Here are two links about the ceremonies.

NZ News article and audio report [does not exist anymore] [Do a Google/Yahoo search for 'Anzac Day' to see recent news]

Milliyet article [Turkish]

In these days of terrorism, hatred and war, the fact that two nations commemorating together the death of their "sons" in one of the most deadly clashes of the World War I is this week's most enlightning news... For me at least...

Here is what Mustafa Kemal Ataturk said in 1934:

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives; you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours.

You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."