Strong reaction from the Kemalist Enlightenment Association: 'Lieutenants are Atatürk's legacy'
The disciplinary investigation launched into the lieutenants who took a sword oath while chanting the slogan "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" has sparked a major controversy. The Kemalist Enlightenment Association emphasized that the lieutenants carry Atatürk's legacy and stated that they do not accept the disciplinary penalties. The association argued that the young officers are upholding the fundamental values of the Republic by remaining loyal to their oath.
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"We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" It has been learned that in the investigation launched into the lieutenants who took a sword oath while chanting the slogan, it was stated that "The issue is not the text read, but the failure to follow orders."
Reactions have come one after another following the investigation launched into the lieutenants.
Another reaction came from the Kemalist Enlightenment Association.
In the statement published by the Kemalist Enlightenment Association for the lieutenants, the following expressions were included:
OUR LIEUTENANTS ARE ATATÜRK’S LEGACY!
Protecting the independence of the secular, democratic Republic of Turkey, the indivisible integrity of the country and the nation, and the honor and dignity of the Great Turkish Nation is the primary Constitutional duty of the Turkish Armed Forces. It is absolutely unacceptable for our young lieutenants, who make our Nation experience the honor of being ATATÜRK’S SOLDIERS, to be punished with a disciplinary investigation.
Those who should be punished in the Turkish Armed Forces are those who refuse to be Atatürk’s Soldiers.
In the words of Mustafa Kemal ATATÜRK:
“Our army is the impossible-to-defeat guarantee of the systematic efforts we are making to realize the Turkish lands and the ‘Turkish ideal’.”
“The soul of the army is in the OFFICERS. The nation expects the assurance of its vital goal, which consists of preserving its independence, from the OFFICERS who are the soul of the army. This is the sublime duty of the OFFICERS. If the nation’s independence is violated, the responsibility for this will belong to the OFFICERS. To destroy the army, one must necessarily ruin and humiliate the OFFICER. In terms of their personal and private lives, OFFICERS are obliged to be at the forefront of the self-sacrificing classes.”
Atatürk’s final address to the Turkish Army and its officers, written on his sickbed in the 15th year of the Republic, carries the character of a testament.
“Just as you have protected and saved your country from oppression, disasters, calamities, and enemy invasion during its most turbulent and difficult moments, I have no doubt that you will perform your duty with the same commitment during the current most prosperous era of the Republic.”
The young Lieutenants are fulfilling the responsibility of the duty given to them by Atatürk and are proving this with the oath they have taken. Atatürk’s Soldiers are Atatürk’s legacy to our Nation. The Turkish Nation will honorably stand by them.