The sword-wearing ceremony and the pistol...

In August 1970, we received rigorous infantry training from two infantry commando officers. It was quite intense military training in the August heat of Heybeliada. As a student who had graduated from the Heybeliada Military High School, receiving infantry training was one of the prerequisites for becoming a student at the Naval Academy.

Those who completed this training earned the right to participate in the "sword-wearing ceremony." In those years, students coming from civilian schools also received this training.

We generally called those who joined the Military Academies from civilian high schools "kabak" (novice) students. After the July 15 coup attempt, those beautiful military schools were closed. Since all students joining the military academies nowadays are "kabak," this term or distinction is likely no longer used. Because they are all "kabak."

We learn that preparatory or adaptation training for military schools or academies continues today. Taking the first step toward becoming a member of the army by participating in this training is, of course, necessary and should continue. The "sword-wearing ceremonies," usually held in September after the adaptation training, also continue to take place. The sword is worn on the waist and is quite stylish.

The sword is a straight, narrow blade that is not sharp, used only for wounding by thrusting like a bayonet. The sword-wearing ceremony is the first step, the first badge of joining the army. When I decided to leave military student life after getting into the Faculty of Medicine in 1979, I could not attend the sword ceremony held in the garden of the Heybeliada Military Naval High School. They said, "If you attend the ceremony, you cannot leave the Naval Academy." I watched my classmates' sword-wearing ceremony from under a pine tree in the garden of the Naval High School in Heybeliada with tears in my eyes. It remained a regret within me. Yes, wearing a sword is not only a badge of joining the army but also an honor...

Regarding the subject, the 36th anniversary summit of NATO's founding was held in Ankara on July 7-8, 2026. It will be remembered for the welcome with the Mehter band, the temporary decorations on the streets of Ankara, and the Trump welcome ceremonies. But most importantly, it will be remembered for the weapons and pistols given to the leaders of NATO countries. What was the purpose of NATO's founding; wasn't it "to protect and maintain peace, to oppose wars, and to secure humanity against wars"?...

As some columnists have also pointed out, in comments regarding the gift of the pistol; even if they explain it with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's commercial perspective of "we are among the top in the world in small arms production, do not forget us," it has damaged our country's image regarding peace. It has especially contradicted Atatürk's principle of "Peace at home, peace in the world." I wish a gift of an olive sapling or a "dove" symbolizing peace would have been much more appropriate. Especially considering the period when the genocide and massacres in Palestine are ongoing and the Middle East oil wars are continuing, it surprised and saddened many NATO leaders and peace-lovers. A weapon or pistol symbolizing war did not suit the Turkish nation, which stands for peace at all.

The 37th NATO summit will be held in Albania. I hope peace is remembered in that country.

We will continue to take Atatürk's words "Peace at home, peace in the world" as our guide.