65th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration

CANAKKALE KUTLAMALARINI YASAK EDEN HUKUMET AMERIKADAKI TURK GAZILERIMIZ ILE MUSTEREK KORE KUTLAMALARINADA YAN CIZMEYE BASLADI .. AMERIKALI, TURK ASILLI BIR KORE GAZISINDEN GELEN MESAJ ASAGIDA…. TF

W.E Alli Bey 22-26 Haziran da Washington DC de yapılacak Kore Harbi anma merasimine katılma konusunda Türkiye’den henüz hiç bir haber alamadıklarını belirtiyor ve ATAA ILE BERABER yardım istiyor.

Bu konuda ATAA ‘YE  WE KORE GAZILERINE nasıl yardımcı olabiliriz?

• Eğer resmi makamlar yardımcı olamıyacak ise aramızda bir kumpanya açıp yardımcı olabilirmiyiz?

Kore gazilerimizin bu anma merasiminde temsil edilmesi hepimiz ve milletimiz için büyük bir iftihar ve gurur olacağindan hiç şüphe yok.

65th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration
July 22-26, 2015, Washington, DC

Turkish Official Participation Needed

Dear Friend:

I am a Turkish American who served as a United States Marine combat veteran in the Korean War of 1950-53. My Marine division fought alongside Turkish soldiers.

In the Korean War, twenty-two countries participated in the United Nations coalition that defended South Korea from communism. The Turkish Republic participated with an exemplary brigade which won the respect of the world political, military and intelligence communities.

General Douglas MacArthur called the Turks “the bravest of the brave.” President Harry S. Truman presented a Presidential Unit Citation to the Turkish brigade. To this day, American veterans continue to praise their Turkish comrades-in-arms.

Although the Turks were seventh in number of troops, they were fourth in number of casualties. Furthermore, as POWs (Prisoners of War), the Turkish soldiers were so resilient against the worst conditions of imprisonment and interrogation, that their conduct was studied by the US Department of Defense as an exemplary model in creating a new POW Code of Conduct for America’s armed forces.

I am proud to inform you that in July 2015, the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense and other organizations, will commemorate the 65th anniversary of the defense of South Korea. The KWVA has invited all coalition countries to send their veterans to the commemorations in Washington DC. All Korean War veterans will be honored at the ceremonies and will be able to share their experiences.

Some countries have already responded that they plan to send some of their veterans to Washington DC. I am sorry to report, however, that there is no indication that any Turkish veterans will be attending.

In cooperation with the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), I am writing to call upon Turkish Americans and their friends to request official Turkish participation in this important commemoration. Each passing day is precious, in view of the rapidly diminishing numbers of surviving Korean War veterans.

Please read about the KWVA’s July 2015 activities here. I am working with KWVA Coordinator James Fisher, as the liaison for the Turkish American community. Additional information about KWVA can be found at

 

I am attaching a poem (in Turkish and English) to support my request for each ATAA-affiliated organization to consider how they can help us inform America about the service and the sacrifice of Türkiye, America, South Korea, and our other allies. We can show that the “forgotten war” is really a forgotten victory; the blood of Turks, Americans, and others saved South Korea so that its people could become memleketin sahipleri (the owners of their own destinies) and build lives of freedom and prosperity. As an American who is a dedicated follower of Atatürk’s universal principles, I view my efforts to be an honor, privilege, and duty to all who served and sacrificed to save South Korea and ultimately win victory in the Cold War.

I am also attaching a flyer which tells my background and describes my Korean War memoir, Too Young for a Forgettable War: Second Edition. I am an honorary member of the Turkish Veterans Association, as well as a member of the American-Turkish Association of Washington, DC (ATA-DC) and Maryland American Turkish Association (MATA). In addition to my email address [[email protected]], you can reach me by phone:240-441-9611.

Please acknowledge receipt of this message at your earliest convenience, and share with me your ideas.

Thank you.

William Edward Alli

USMC, Korea, 1951-52

A MEMBER OF Turkish Forum network

Too Young for a Forgettable War: Second Edition