Every year, when July 15 arrives, the same debates begin. Some see it only as a political event, while others evaluate it without considering the broader context of our history. I see it differently. For me, this has never been about politics—it has always been about our homeland.
Perhaps this perspective comes from my family’s story.
I am the child of a Bulgarian Turkish immigrant family. Growing up, I listened to stories of migration, homes left behind, abandoned fields, cherished memories, and the hardships my family endured simply because they were Turks. Those stories taught me one simple truth: You truly understand the value of your homeland only when there is a risk of losing it.
That is why the Turkish flag is not merely a piece of fabric to me. The state is not just a collection of institutions. The land beneath our feet is not simply soil. Each represents the legacy of centuries of sacrifice and determination.
I respectfully remember the civilians and members of our security forces who lost their lives on July 15. They are heroes of our nation. Yet we should never forget that these lands did not become our homeland because of the events of a single night.
In 1071, Sultan Alp Arslan and his army opened the gates of Anatolia at the Battle of Manzikert.
In 1453, Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople and changed the course of world history.
In 1915, at Gallipoli, Turkish soldiers stood against some of the world’s most powerful armies and proved that “Gallipoli is Impassable.” The courage of Seyit Onbaşı, Yahya Çavuş, and thousands of unnamed soldiers became symbols of sacrifice and resilience.
Then came the Turkish War of Independence.
The heroes who gave their lives at Sakarya, Dumlupınar, and during the Great Offensive made it possible for future generations to live in an independent country.
We also remember the soldiers who fell during the Cyprus Peace Operation.
The members of our armed forces, police, and gendarmerie who lost their lives in the fight against terrorism.
Those who never returned from missions beyond our borders.
And the civilians who stood for their country and democracy on the night of July 15.
To me, there is no hierarchy among martyrs.
They all rest beneath the same flag.
For me, Turkish nationalism is not about slogans or empty rhetoric. It is about knowing our history, protecting our culture, respecting our ancestors, serving our country, and working to leave a stronger nation for future generations.
Patriotism is not measured by words.
It is measured by honesty.
By paying taxes fairly.
By working with integrity.
By producing, innovating, and contributing to science, education, and the economy.
As the descendant of Bulgarian Turkish immigrants, I understand what it means to leave your homeland behind. People may lose their homes, their land, and their childhood memories, but they carry their identity, language, and national consciousness wherever they go.
That is why those who have experienced displacement often understand the true value of a homeland more deeply than anyone else.
Our responsibility today is not only to remember our martyrs on commemorative days but also to protect the values for which they sacrificed their lives.
Without forgetting Manzikert…
Without forgetting Gallipoli…
Without forgetting Sakarya…
Without forgetting August 30…
Without forgetting Cyprus…
Without forgetting those who gave their lives in the fight against terrorism…
And without forgetting July 15.
History is one continuous story. Only by preserving the whole of it can we remain a strong nation.
May God never force this nation to write another anthem of independence.
May our flag continue to fly freely forever.
May God have mercy on all our martyrs, bless our veterans, and honor every hero who sacrificed their life for our homeland.
