Excellencies,

Honorables,

Distinguished Guests,

A young commander in Gallipoli, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who later became the first President of the Republic of Turkey was among the heroes who waved the torch of lasting peace to us.

On this day, we also respectfully remember the sacrifice of the Newfoundlanders whose joining in the conflict in Çanakkale established a strong relevance around which Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Turkey. Çanakkale became a place where 50 other nations' sons have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Mustafa Kemal’s tribute to all fallen in Gallipoli has evolved as a manifestation of embracing peace and turning the tragedies of this war into a solid friendship among all nations involved:

"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 bosom and are in peace.

After having lost their lives on this land, they become our sons as well."

Thank you.