Male members of the Altındağ Municipality Center for Accessible Living fulfilled their military service. As part of the “Symbolic Military Service Program,” the young people with disabilities experienced the pride of being soldiers for a day during a ceremony held for the occasion. The young people, who took the oath and received their discharge certificates, and their families shared in these proud moments.

Love for the homeland knew no bounds. In Ankara, young people with disabilities became soldiers for a day during a ceremony organized as part of the “Symbolic Military Service Program.” These young people, whose disabilities prevent them from performing military duties, experienced the pride of being soldiers during “Disability Awareness Week” (May 10–16). The joy of the young people, who arrived at the Ankara Provincial Gendarmerie Command with their families in the morning, was a sight to behold. Eighteen students from the Altındağ Municipality Accessible Living Center participated in the “Symbolic Military Service” program held at General Eşref Akıncı Barracks. During the event, the young people, dressed in military uniforms, had the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of military life by participating in various training activities. The staff of the Accessible Living Center also shared in the excitement of the young people with special needs and their families who participated in the symbolic military service.

EMOTIONAL MOMENTS WERE SHARED 

While wearing military uniforms, the young people with disabilities were given information about military service, including how to give a military salute and stand at attention, during basic training exercises. Later, a swearing-in ceremony was held for the young and elderly participants with physical and intellectual disabilities who took part in the symbolic military service. The individuals with special needs, who experienced the feeling of being a soldier for one day, later received their discharge certificates and took proud photos with their families. 

“IT WAS A MEMORY WE WILL NEVER FORGET”

Arda Enes Solmaz (21), a member of the Engelsiz Yaşam Center who experienced the joy of becoming a soldier by taking the oath at a symbolic military ceremony, said he had a very proud moment, adding, “I was very happy and excited during the oath-taking ceremony. We put on our uniforms and toured the military base. Then the oath-taking ceremony took place. It was the most exciting moment of my life. I thank everyone who gave us this sense of pride,” he said. 

MOTHERS WATCHED THE CEREMONY WITH TEARS IN THEIR EYES

Döndü Kırca, the mother of 28-year-old Ufuk Kırca, who participated in the symbolic military service ceremony, expressed her feelings, saying, “The ceremony went very well; we were so happy. May God be pleased with everyone who made it possible for us to experience this pride. My son Ufuk couldn’t sleep for days from excitement. He eagerly awaited the day he would go to the military. It has become an unforgettable memory for us,” she said, expressing her feelings.

“I watched my son Arda become a soldier for a day with tears in my eyes,” said his mother, İlah Solmaz. “We’ve never been able to leave the house our whole lives. Arda had no social life at all. Thanks to the Center for Independent Living, my child began to participate in social life, made friends, and found joy.” Solmaz added that she was very happy and proud that her son’s dream of becoming a soldier had come true, saying, “Thanks to the staff at the center, they made it possible for us to participate in the symbolic military service program. Seeing my son as a soldier and experiencing that moment was very pride-inducing. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Altındağ Municipality and our Mayor, Veysel Tiryaki, for the opportunities they have provided us at the Accessible Living Center.”

“WE ARE ALWAYS BY THEIR SIDE” 

Congratulating the young people with special needs who participated in the symbolic military service program, Altındağ Mayor Dr. Veysel Tiryaki said, “There are no barriers to love for one’s country… As long as they are happy, we are ready to do more than our best. We will continue to stand by our young people with special needs at all times.”