A great man in Turkey...

On our second day we visited the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (Military Leader - Politician. Born : Salonica, Ottoman Empire (now part of Greece) - 1881. Famous for : Gallipoli campaign, Downfall of Ottoman rule, Founder of Modern Turkey. Died : Turkey - November 10, 1938) who is credited with bringing great change to Turkey. Whereas there was separation by religion, location, etc in Turkey prior to his leadership, Ataturk insisted in national pride and wanted to find a way where all people could live together and be united in one cause. He introduced a common alphabet, gave more respect to women, proclaimed that family was essential, and created a positive image for Turkey on the national scene. As we moved through this great building and area dedicated to this man we found two statutes as one end, showing the perfect Turkish man, and the perfect Turkish woman.

Each took in the traits from around the country to show unity and a strong love for their nation. At the other end of a great walkway was the burial place of the man named Ataturk by declaration as well as the 2nd president. There is a museum underneath that celebrates the Ottoman empire as well as Ataturk's life. There were many quotes and I've found a few that I'd like to share with you. Please notice that these are his words but we've heard similar words or similar ideas shared around the world, our nation, and our communities.

By that I do not intend to take away from what this man did, for his nation truly loves him, but rather to say that many people are seeking the same things and maybe it's time, as did this man, to take the lead and change the world with love and grace at the center. This man may not have been perfect, he was after all human, but there were many great leaders around the world who visited him when he was alive or have visited this site since then who have spoken to the amazing things he was able to do...
Some of these will show his national pride while others speak to a nation that is growing in ways that others might learn from.. Here are some of his quotes,

• Happy is he who says, "I am a Turk".


• As they have come, so they will go.


• One day my mortal body will turn to dust, but the Turkish Republic will stand forever.


• There are two Mustafa Kemal's. One is the flesh-and-bone Mustafa Kemal who now stands before you and who will pass away. The other is you, all of you here who will go to the far corners of our land to spread the ideals which must be defended with your lives if necessary. I stand for the nation's dreams, and my life's work is to make them come true.


• To see me does not necessarily mean to see my face. To understand my thoughts is to have seen me.


• Peace at home, peace in the world.


• Turkey's true master is the peasant.


• Do not be afraid of telling the truth.


• A healthy mind in a healthy body.


• Our great ideal is to raise our nation to the highest standard of civilization and prosperity.
  Following the military triumph we accomplished by bayonets, weapons and blood, we shall strive to win victories in such fields as culture, scholarship, science and economics.


• Every nation as the right to demand proper treatment and no country should violate the territory of any other country.


• Teachers are the one and only people who save nations.


• Teachers: the new generation will be your devotion.


• Everything we see in the world is the creative work of women.


• Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives (at Gallipoli battles).. 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 here in this country of ours.. You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears. Your sons are now living in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.

It was quite interesting to see the love for this man, maybe we can compare it to George Washington and the others who brought us out from under the rule of another nation and gave us independence. Again, I am reminded that he was just a man but as he said, what he stands for will live forever. Turkey in moving forward in great strides because of the tiny steps that he challenged his nation to take. As leaders in our churches and communities, if we believe we've been given a direction, a calling, we must move forward recognizing that we might not see the goal realized but that we might be some of the folks who move the world, nation, community, or individual much closer...How cool is that! Here the words, speak them, live them, and plant them in others so that more fruit will grow and be harvested!