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Ataturk's Address to the Turkish Youth
You, the Turkish youth! Your primary duty is to forever protect and
defend the Turkish independence and Turkish Republic. This is the
mainstay of your existence and of your future.
This foundation is your most precious treasure in the future, as well,
there will be malevolents, within and abroad, who will seek to deny your
birthright. If one day you are compelled to defend your independence and
the republic, you shall not reflect on the conditions and possibilities
of the situation in which you find yourself, in order to accomplish your
mission. These conditions and possibilities may appear unfavorable. The
adversaries who scheme against your independence and your Republic may
be the representatives of a victory without precedent in the world. By
force or by ruse, all citadels and all arsenals of our dear fatherland
may have been taken; all of its armies may have been dispersed and all
corners of the country may have been physically occupied. More
distressing and more grievous than all these, those who hold and exercise
the power within the country may have fallen into gross error, blunder,
and even treason. These holders of power may have even united their
personal interests with political ambitions of the invaders. The nation
itself may have fallen into privation, and may have become exhausted and
desolate.
You, the future sons and daughters of Turkey! Even under such
circumstances and conditions, your duty is to redeem Turkish independence
and the Republic! The strength you shall need exists in the noble blood
flowing through your veins.
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Ataturk's Address to the Turkish Youth
You, the Turkish youth! Your primary duty is to forever protect and
defend the Turkish independence and T