TABC was at the ANZAC Service with the Australian, New Zealand, and British communities on April 21st at the Log Cabin at the Presidio, SF. The gathering was joined by the 23rd Marine Corp Color Guard and Australian and Turkey servicemen from the Post Graduate Academy in Monterey.

TABC President Mr. Efe Orhun and Secretary General Mr. Selim Akkoç placed a wreath commemorating the fallen Turkish soldiers in the battle of Çanakkale. Consequently Turkish Navy LtJG Mustafa Güntaç Tosun delivered Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's lines on ANZAC:

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... 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 lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."

This day marks an uncommon bond formed between nations over extraordinary circumstances. We thank the San Francisco Australian Chamber of Commerce for undertaking this gathering and we hope to be a part of it in the coming years.