Fathers of Martyrs Endure Unending Longing on Father's Day

For many fathers, Father's Day is a time of joy and shared memories. But for fathers of martyrs in Turkey, the day is marked by a profound and enduring sense of loss, mixed with immense pride.

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You feel alone in a crowd, you feel like you hear your son's voice in the quietest corner of the house.

Mustafa Kırıkçı, father of Yener Kırıkçı who was martyred in Hakkâri in 2019, speaks of the difficulty in articulating his grief. "You feel alone in a crowd, you feel like you hear your son's voice in the quietest corner of the house," he shares. His son's room remains untouched, a testament to the lingering presence of his absence.

Izzet Kavcı still waits for his son Bayram to walk through the door, a poignant expression of his unceasing longing. Can Polat Usta finds solace in the pride of his son's martyrdom, a sentiment echoed by many fathers. They speak of the pain that "burns where it falls" and the indescribable nature of losing a child, yet stand tall, drawing strength from their sons' ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

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I am still waiting for the door to open and Bayram to come in.

Many fathers visited their sons' graves on Father's Day, laying flowers and offering prayers. While the sorrow is palpable, the honor of their children achieving martyrdom provides a dignified strength. For them, martyrdom is not just a loss, but the highest price paid for the homeland, a legacy that ensures their sons' names live on.

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The fire burns where it falls. There is no description for the pain of losing a child. But they gave their lives so this country could live.