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Istanbul marked Aug. 30 Victory Day and Turkish Armed Forces Day with a military parade on Vatan Avenue in Fatih.
The ceremony began as Istanbul Governor Davut Gul (M), Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Acting Mayor Nuri Aslan (R) and First Army Commander Gen. Bahtiyar Ersay (L) saluted the troops and the public from a ceremonial vehicle and offered their holiday greetings.
Speaking on the meaning and significance of the day, Brig. Gen. Ergun Fidan, commander of the 52nd Motorised Infantry Division, said the nation was marking the 104th anniversary of Victory Day with pride and excitement.
Fidan said the Turkish nation had fought a total struggle alongside its army 104 years ago against those who threatened its existence and homeland.
Referring to the First World War, the Armistice of Mudros and the Treaty of Sevres, he said: “It was in such a seemingly hopeless environment that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his comrades lit the torch of independence and opened the path to light with the motto ‘either independence or death’.”
Naval Academy student Tarik Erdogan recited the poem “Epic of the Navy” and Air Force Academy student Hasan Eren Ozen recited “Epic of the Mehmetcik” during the ceremony.
The parade featured marching personnel from the Land, Naval and Air Forces Commands.
Members of the public turned out for the parade, which also included gendarmerie, police and IBB personnel along with military and police vehicles.
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