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Ziya Kilic tells:
The year is 1909… Captain Mustafa Kemal, who joined the fifth corps chief of staff, was in Thessaloniki. Colonel Saadettin Bey, Commander of the 38th Central Regiment, received permission to go to Istanbul for treatment. Everyone was wondering who Saadettin Bey would leave in his place. Later, we learned that Saadettin Bey would be represented by Kolağası Mustafa Kemal. We were surprised. Because Mustafa Kemal was still a senior captain, there were people in higher rank than him. The astonishment of the high-ranking officers passed quickly. Mustafa Kemal endeared himself to all officers. While visiting the city, those who witnessed his behavior towards the people admired him. Now, we were wondering what he would do on such a mission.

Perhaps it would be correct to consider the day the regiment was handed over by Mustafa Kemal as an important turning point in our history.

That day, Mustafa Kemal came on a white horse to greet the procession. All eyes were on him. Arriving in front of the Regiment, he made a salute, then quickly jumped from his horse to the ground. He would walk to greet the soldier.

We expected him to say ”Assalam Alaikum soldier!’‘. But something happened that we never expected; Mustafa Kemal:

“Hello, soldier!” he said.

This was the first time encountered. The soldiers did not know how to respond. Soldiers from Istanbul broke the silence for a few seconds:

”Hello sir…”

For the first time, the army received the “Hello Soldier” greeting from a commander.