Ertugrul Ozkok: Because of our reactions

Some people may have forgotten, but I cannot forget. I was outside of Turkey when the news came. My wife had to go to the hospital, because her blood pressure had risen so high. It was apparently completely stress related: she had been watching the television news all week about the young Turkish troops fighting up in the mountains.  Â

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And now, these days, I listen to the speeches made by political party leaders, I read the newspaper columns, and I lend an ear to the statements made by some former military officers. And I am in amazement at how quickly we all seem to have forgotten those days of the past. How quickly we put away memories of defeat, or of anger at hearing news that eight of our soldiers were kidnapped. But in fact, we have courageous troops now who have just returned from extremely difficult winter conditions in an over the border operation. They signed off on an operation that military experts are all branding as successful. They caused great losses to the terror organization.

 

Just remember the first days of the first Persian Gulf War. How in the sandstorms, the American military was hopeless and without any action. Then make a comparison. There was burning sand there, and here, along the Turkish-Iraqi borders, freezing snow. And rugged, high mountain ranges.

 

But our Turkish troops climbed those mountains with their commanders. They fought at day and night, and according to the rules of soldiery. Those who make the attack generally have more losses. But our youth turned this golden military rule upside down. They completely fulfilled their goals. So what do they want now? A little gentleness and consideration, a little gratitude, a little support.

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But now take a look at the crushing tableau that greets them in Turkey:

 

Before they have even had a chance to get a taste of warm beds back at their barracks, the chorus of voices rises, or more pointedly the long finger of politics points: "Why did you return so early?...."

I say: You go spend a night over there.

 

And so, the youth who should be expecting medals are on the verge of being beaten by these voices. Why? Because of the well-known scenario that these same politicians are touting: "America ordered it, and so our military pulled out."

And thus the military commanders, who led attacks on the other side of the border, are now being attacked here, on this side of the border. They have made their uniforms into shields, and are trying to defend themselves. But to what avail? Because what they face is an army of being with absolute beliefs, intoning "No, no, you don't even know, America definitely gave the orders."

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Yes, we have all forgotten the past. And now we are not being allowed to experience the emotions we should be experiencing. And we see that the terror organization, which has been dealt one of the most severe blows ever, is on the verge of dancing and singing. Why? Because of our reactions....