15.07.2026 19:55
At a ceremony held on Mount Spil in Manisa for the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day commemoration, the Turkish flag was raised with the participation of members of the Turkish War Disabled, Veterans, Martyrs' Widows and Orphans Association Manisa Branch, public institutions, and NGOs. Branch President Veteran Kıyışkan said, "That night, our nation defended its homeland, flag, and democracy at the cost of their lives. They showed a great resistance that would set an example for the world and won an epic written in golden letters in history."
During the commemoration ceremony for July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day held on Mount Spil in Manisa, the Turkish flag was raised with the participation of members of the Turkish Disabled Veterans, Martyrs' Widows and Orphans Association Manisa Branch, public institutions, and NGOs.
In Manisa, on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, Gazi Yusuf Kıyışkan, President of the Turkish Disabled Veterans, Martyrs' Widows and Orphans Association Manisa Branch, along with association member veterans, representatives of public institutions, and non-governmental organizations, ceremoniously raised the Turkish flag located at the summit of Mount Spil.
The ceremony at the Turan Bayrak Hill location of Spil Mountain National Park was attended by Spil Mountain National Park Director Halil Ernalçacı, AFAD Provincial Director Osman Pıhtılı, Manisa Provincial Gendarmerie Command Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) Team, Manisa Provincial Health Directorate UMKE team, Provincial Youth and Sports Directorate representatives, members of the Manisa Mountaineering Club, personnel from the Spil Mountain National Park Directorate, and the AFAD team. The teams arriving at the Turan Bayrak Hill viewing terrace in a convoy held a press briefing before the flag change.
"THIS HOMELAND IS THE TRUST OF OUR MARTYRS" Gazi Kıyışkan, President of the Turkish Disabled Veterans, Martyrs' Widows and Orphans Association Manisa Branch, stated that on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day, they came to change the flag at Bayrak Hill on Mount Spil, one of Manisa's iconic points, together with heroic veterans.
Gazi Kıyışkan said, "Soon, we will proudly wave our glorious red flag on this sacred summit. On the night of July 15, 2016, during the treacherous coup attempt by the Fetullahçı Terrorist Organization, 253 of our children of this homeland became martyrs, and 2,737 of our citizens became veterans. However, that night, our nation protected its homeland, flag, and democracy at the cost of their lives. They showed a great resistance that would set an example to the world and earned an epic written in golden letters in history. This glorious red flag we raise here today is the symbol of our independence. It is the symbol of our loyalty to our dear martyrs. It is the symbol of the sacrifice of our heroic veterans, and it is the strongest emblem of our nation's unshakeable unity and solidarity. Our star and crescent flag, which will wave from the summit of Mount Spil, will give the following message to our entire nation and future generations: 'This homeland is the trust of our martyrs. As long as the Turkish nation exists, this flag will not come down, this call to prayer will not cease, and this state will endure forever.' On this occasion, we commemorate all our dear martyrs, especially our July 15 martyrs, with mercy, gratitude, and prayers. We extend our gratitude to our heroic veterans and respectfully and proudly celebrate our nation's July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day."
AFAD Provincial Director Osman Pıhtılı, who attended the ceremony, said: "We will hold a flag-changing ceremony together with our veterans and the families of martyrs. May God not let this country experience such pains and not give opportunities to traitors."
Selami Pazar, a member veteran who lost both eyes in a terrorist attack in the southeastern region, said that although he cannot see, he wanted to attend the ceremony for raising the red flag on such a meaningful day.
After the speeches, due to adverse weather conditions, the change of the Turkish flag was carried out by the JAK Team and the Spil Mountain National Park Directorate teams. Following a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, the ceremony concluded.