I DON’T WANT ANY CLOTHES

On 4 April 1915, Hasan Etem was beginning his letter to his mother with these words:

‘Dear honorable Turkish mother who is proud of being a mother of four soldiers!’

He was completing the letter with a joy he got from the beauty of the nature.

‘…. Dear Lord! All that these heroes want is to introduce your name to the British and the French. Sharpen the knives of these soldiers who kneeled down to pray you trembling. Our enemies regret coming here. Please help us get them out of here.

… Mom, your son, Halit is in a good place just like me…

… I don’t want any clothes. I still have my money. God bless you. 4th April 1915. Your son, Hasan Etem.’

Two days later, Hasan Etem was a martyr. His brother, Halit, was wounded. He went back home.

When Hasan Etem was killed, his brother, Hilmi was 16 and his other brother, Sevlut was 10 years old. Hilmi and Sevlut went to Gallipoli after the war as their martyr brother requested. They looked for a trace of Hasan Etem.

Every trace belonged to Hasan Etem.

Gorkem Akdeniz , Yusuf Akkus, Anil Arioz, H_seyin Kaya
From 9K Etimesgut Anatolian High School Ankara / TURKEY