Entered the military guesthouse where veterans are denied entry wearing a robe and turban: Recorded footage with his phone

A striking incident took place at the Lüleburgaz military guesthouse.

According to the report by Saygı Öztürk from Sözcü; A young man wearing a turban, a robe, and slippers entered the military guesthouse, drank his tea, took footage with his phone, and walked out laughing. 

Öztürk stated the following:

"The incident occurred last Sunday. A young man wearing a turban, a green robe, and slippers, who arrived at the Lüleburgaz Military Guesthouse with two women and two children, wanted to enter, but the soldier on duty did not want to let him in due to his attire. The young man in the robe stated that he was a relative of a martyr and, in the meantime, took out his phone and wanted to record his conversation with the soldier. The soldier allowed entry to avoid any trouble for himself.

I OBJECTED TO HIM BEING ALLOWED INSIDE

Southeast veteran Tarkan Yılgün outside, and Mahir Çoğu, the Lüleburgaz Branch President of the Turkey Retired Non-Commissioned Officers Association (TEMAD), described what happened inside the military guesthouse to SÖZCÜ. First, I listen to Tarkan Yılgün:

“On Sunday, July 7, 2024, my elderly mother and I had a meal near the Lüleburgaz Military Guesthouse. Afterward, while walking home at 17:35, we saw a young man, around 16-17 years old, wearing a green robe and a white turban on his head—an inappropriate outfit—entering through the military guesthouse turnstiles with 6 people in total, including himself. At that moment, along with the people around us, we were surprised and watched with sadness and reaction in front of the military guesthouse. Afterward, it occurred to me to open my cell phone camera, but out of anger, I forgot to press the button.

Initially, the soldier at the entrance did not want to let them in. I saw the young man in the robe holding his phone up as if he were filming. Then the soldier got up from his seat and went outside. He let 3 of the 5 people in. 2 people stayed by the entrance until they came out. I immediately went to the soldier and asked, ‘Why are you letting them in with inappropriate clothing, a turban, and a robe?’ The soldier told me, ‘They said they were relatives of a veteran, and according to the directive in front of me, entry to the military guesthouse is only prohibited for those wearing shorts and slippers.’ In short, he said that was why he let them in. As a Southeast veteran, I said, ‘But you don’t let me in with my knee-length shorts.’

'I STATED THAT IT COULD BE A PROVOCATIVE ACT'

My mother and I went to our home near the military guesthouse. I called the military guesthouse three times to express my reaction to this person being allowed inside, despite it being known that it was against the regulations. Eventually, around 18:09, I saw from our balcony that the person in the robe and turban and those with him were being escorted out. 

I got dressed again and went to the military guesthouse around 19:00 and spoke with the duty non-commissioned officer and the people there. Many of them had watched the incident with sadness. An elderly retired non-commissioned officer who was there at the time said that the Lüleburgaz TEMAD President had intervened in the incident. I reached him by phone the next day and got information about what happened.

I also explained this situation by sending an e-mail to the Land Forces Command. I stated with sadness that this could be a provocative act. I wouldn't be surprised if that young man shares a photo/video of himself in the military guesthouse with his robe and turban soon!"

WHAT HAPPENED INSIDE THE MILITARY GUESTHOUSE?

While these reactions were taking place outside, Mahir Çoğu, the Lüleburgaz Branch President of the Turkey Retired Non-Commissioned Officers Association (TEMAD), described to us what happened inside:

“We were sitting. A little later, there was a commotion, especially among the women. We were told that a young man wearing a turban, a green robe, and slippers had come inside. Those who came in were a woman, a young man, and a child smaller than him. The mother says she brought the child here because he was successful and liked ice cream. But we thought this was a provocative act. You cannot enter a military guesthouse with this attire and slippers.

HE WATCHED WHAT WAS HAPPENING WHILE LAUGHING

When we asked the soldier on duty why they were allowed in despite this, he said they showed a veteran relative card and that the regulations did not explicitly state that entry with a turban and robe was prohibited. This was definitely not attire suitable for the regulations. Lüleburgaz is a district that is a fortress of the republic.

Everyone there wanted this person to be removed from the military guesthouse. That young man was laughing at what was happening. There was an attitude suggesting they had achieved their goal. It was as if he was in a state of waiting for intervention. A woman and a child who came with him and passed through the military guesthouse turnstile with him were waiting for them outside. There were people on the opposite sidewalk whom we thought were with them and taking photos. What happened had nothing to do with the military guesthouse management. It was a purposeful act from the outside.”

We often hear the song “From where to where” on the screens. Yes, indeed, “From where to where” have we come...

Let's leave the military guesthouse and go to the front of the TSK İzmir Özdere Aviation Camp. Veteran privates held a sit-in protest there in response to being denied entry. Some took off their prosthetic legs, some their arms. They were saddened by being denied entry.

After the sit-in, the veterans who were turned away from the camp gate also shared their situation on social media. A lot is said about our veterans in words, but they are not even allowed inside to drink a cup of tea in a holiday resort. Let me remind you of this as well.

I wonder, if they had gone in with turbans and green robes, would they have been allowed in and served tea out of fear of the backlash? I don't know that."