Those heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives, you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours. You, the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears, your sons are now lying in our bosoms and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they become our sons as well. (Mustafa Kemal Ataturk)
Leanne and I visited this monument on Armistice Day. It is a gift from Turkey and commemorates Turkish statesman and general Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, as well as his fellow Ottoman soldiers and the ANZACs who perished in the Battle of Gallipoli. Apparently the area of the memorial looks very similar to the Gallipoli (now Gelibolu) Peninsula.
Curzon of Coming Anarchy has an excellent explanation of Armistice Day. Personally, I would prefer to commemorate Armistice Day (aka Remembrance or Veterans Day) rather than ANZAC Day (a far more important event here in NZ). It seems more optimistic to remember a victory rather than a defeat. However, I appreciate this little-known memorial for its gesture of reconciliation, and its reminder of the important role Gallipoli played in the transition from empire to nation-state in Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.
We also stumbled upon an old Second World War radar and observation post, part of the Palmer Head Fortress. It is in poor condition, filled with graffiti and trash. It also serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. From the 1880s during the Russian scare to the 1960s, coastal fortresses guarded New Zealand harbours. We are becoming far too complacent about defence, to the point where old coastal defences are either forgotten, or seen as an example of paranoia and xenophobia.
Here are some more photos: the distant snowcapped peaks of the South Island (may our mountains ever be, freedom’s ramparts on the sea…), Leanne and I battling the ferocious wind, and a panorama of Wellington, Lyall Bay and the airport (including the runway extension). See Leanne’s page for more photos.
[...] This is the Ataturk Memorial in Wellington, which we visited on Armistice Day last year. It is a gift from Turkey and commemorates Turkish statesman and general Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, as well as his fellow Ottoman soldiers and the ANZACs who perished in the Battle of Gallipoli. Apparently the area of the memorial looks very similar to the Gallipoli (now Gelibolu) Peninsula. [...]
Left by Pacific Empire » Blog Archive » ANZAC Dawn Service, Wellington 2007 on April 25th, 2007