10 Kasim Ceremony – 2014

 

10 Kasim Ceremony

10 Kasim Ceremony

ATASC continued its yearly 10 Kasim Ceremony tradition at a special location this year; at the City of Carson; steps away from the proposed location of the Ataturk Monument. (www.ataturkmonumentla.com). There was more than 100 attendees even though it was a weekday evening in LA traffic.

The program opened with a moment of silence and continued with national anthems.

Dr. Vega Sankur, past president of ATASC opened the meeting, by a presentation of Ataturk’s vision for the young nation sprinkled with her family’s memories about Ataturk. Turkish Consul General Ms. Gulru Gezer continued the program reading the laudatory comments by famous statesmen around the world about Ataturk.

Gulru Gezer 10 Kasim

Gulru Gezer 10 Kasim

ATASC President Elect also talked about Ataturk and her feelings. All three speeches emphasized the gratitude our nation, and especially our women feel about the reforms.Dr. Ilhan Ozulu accompanied the program with well placed songs from Ataturk’s favorites or his story.

Burcu Tansu

Burcu Tansu

During the break, the attendees visited the proposed monument site and had a chance to ask their questions.

Location of Ataturk Monument in Carson, CA

Ataturk Monument’s Location

The second part of the program was dedicated to the Ataturk Monument. Mayor Jim Dear explained his concept for the Carson International Sculpture Garden as a place for leaders who served liberty, freedom and equality. Ahmet Alptekin explained his design concept as the chronological history of Turkish Nation, under Ataturk’s leadership, from end of WWI to modern times. Other members of the team were introduced with their roles. The crowd was very excited to have such a monument in SC in such a prestigious location among other world leaders.

Jim Dear

Carson Mayor Jim Dear

Vega Sankur and Jim Dear explained that we will go for the application shortly, early 2015; and we need to have some funds raised by then to have credibility in front of City Council.

Ahmet Alptekin

Ahmet Alptekin

Ilhan Sami Ozulu

Ilhan Sami Ozulu