The meaningful project “My First Letter to Mehmetçik”, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education (MEB) and the Ministry of National Defense (MSB), makes a significant contribution to children’s early connection with their love of country and nation and to the revival of the tradition of exchanging letters. Within the scope of the project, the loving letters written by the young students who were just learning to read and write to the Mehmetçik serving at the border were responded to with the same warmth by the Mehmetçik.
First Letters to Soldiers from Little Hearts
After acquiring reading and writing skills, first-grade students at Şehit Mustafa Yiğitalp Primary School in Ankara wrote the first letters of their lives and sent them to the heroic soldiers who provide border security all around the country on March 1. This meaningful initiative allowed the children to express their feelings and helped them understand the importance of patriotism and military service at an early age.
Warm Responses from Mehmetçik to Little Hearts
The letters written sincerely by the little students reached the soldiers at the Şırnak 23rd Infantry Division Command. Mehmetçik, who are on duty at the border points all around the country, were moved by this meaningful gesture and responded to the students' letters one by one. In the general framework of the project, the same number of Mehmetçik wrote loving and grateful responses to the letters written by approximately 81 thousand children from 12 provinces and seven regions of Türkiye.
Answers Meet with Students: A Meaningful Visit from Alper Gezeravcı
Within the scope of the project, a special event was organized at Şehit Mustafa Yiğitalp Primary School to deliver the response letters written by Mehmetçik to the students. In addition to MEB and MSB personnel, Türkiye's first astronaut and Air Pilot Colonel Alper Gezeravcı also attended this meaningful event and surprised the students. Gezeravcı's participation created great excitement and happiness in the students.
Making a statement after his visit, Alper Gezeravcı said, “We are extremely happy to come together with our brothers and sisters, who are the guarantee of our future as children of this country, within the scope of such a program and to be a part of such a program that will crown their first year of education and leave a mark on their lives.” Emphasizing the importance of the project, Gezeravcı stated that such events that contribute to children growing up with love for their country are valuable.
Great Happiness from a Little Student
Esma Kılıç, a first grade primary school student, expressed her happiness due to the letter response she received from the soldiers. Kılıç also expressed her pride in seeing Alper Gezeravcı, whose homework she did in Turkish class, at her school, saying, “I had done Alper Gezeravcı’s homework in Turkish class, and then I was very proud to see him here.” Little Esma’s words revealed the positive impact of the project on the students.
Enthusiastic Performance by the Air Force Band
The event ended with an enthusiastic show by the Air Forces Command Band in the schoolyard. The marches and songs played by the band increased the enthusiasm of the students and participants. The “My First Letter to Mehmetçik” project strengthens the bond of love between the little hearts and Mehmetçik, while continuing to make an important contribution to the students’ upbringing with love for their homeland and nation. This meaningful collaboration paves the way for future generations to grow up as individuals committed to national values.
