19 May was celebrated with enthusiasm in Bandırma

The 19th of May, Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day, was celebrated in Bandırma district of Balıkesir with a ceremony held at Cumhuriyet Square. The ceremony started with a moment of silence and the national anthem being sung. Then, the wreath of the District Directorate of Youth and Sports was laid at the Atatürk Monument. Bandırma District Governor Engin Aksakal, Balıkesir Member of Parliament Ali Taylan Öztaylan, Garrison Commander Air Force Pilot Brigadier General Levent Eğren, Bandırma District Gendarmerie Commander Bnb. Ahmet Tunç, Bandırma District Police Chief Mesut Demirdaş, Youth and Sports District Director Hüseyin Elüstü, political party representatives, teachers, students, and citizens attended the ceremony. The program, which started with a moment of silence and the national anthem, continued with the laying of a wreath at the Atatürk Monument by the Youth and Sports District Directorate. Then, the speech about the significance of the day was delivered by the Youth and Sports District Director Hüseyin Elüstü. Elüstü stated, ‘By entrusting the Republic of Turkey, established with great sacrifices, hardship, and deprivation, and thousands of martyrs, to the youth, it is said that at a time when all hopes were beginning to fade, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk did not come to Samsun on May 19, 1919, saying it is better to die than to live in captivity. This marked the beginning of our struggle for independence and freedom. The War of Independence is the epic of this story, and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is the heart of the nation that keeps this epic alive. The freedom fire ignited in Samsun on May 19, 1919, spread throughout the country quickly after the opening of the Grand National Assembly. The Republic of Turkey, which enables all of us to live as one and united under the crescent-star flag, will continue forever with all its institutions. Let no one doubt this. With these feelings and thoughts, we remember the Founder of the Republic, Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, his comrades in arms, our veterans, and the noble martyrs who sacrificed their lives for this homeland with mercy, gratitude, and respect. Happy Holiday to our youth.’ The program continued with a folk dance show with a large participation. Mehmet Emin Alınmaz, a student from Şehit Mehmet Gönenç Anatolian High School, recited Atatürk’s Youth Pledge. Then, students from ŞMG Anatolian High School recited the Response of the Youth to Ata. The program continued with the recitation of poems titled ‘Sakarya, I Think of Mustafa Kemal’ and ‘He is Coming.’ The celebrations of the 19th of May ended with gymnastics shows, archery demonstrations, and various folk dance performances.