Incredible Story of the First Atatürk Monument Erected in the US

Founder of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, holds a special place in Turkish-Americans hearts. Turkish-American Associations not only organizing events for the November 10 Commemorative Ceremony of Atatürk and other national holidays but also contribute to important projects regarding Atatürk. One of the most critical names regarding these activities is the late Hüdai Yavalar. Apart from establishing the Atatürk Society of America in Washington, DC, in 1995 and uniting Kemalists, he also contributed to countless projects related to Atatürk in Turkey and supported education. With her heart and soul, his dear wife, Mirat Yavalar, keeps the Society on its feet with a strong Board of Members, as it’s the legacy of her late husband. The biggest wish of the late Hüdai Yavalar was for an Atatürk Monument situated in Washington, DC.

The person who had the magnificent statue of Atatürk done was Namık Tan, the Ambassador of the relevant period. Namik Tan was a very important diplomat who was loved very much by Society, especially by those who protected secular Ataturkist values. Hüdai Yavalar, the Founding President of the Atatürk Society of America and ASA Executive Board members, asked for the assistance of Ambassador Namık Tan for the erection of the Atatürk statue, as it was compulsory to obtain several permissions from the Washington municipality. This made getting permission from the municipality very difficult, and the municipality would not allocate a place in the city. The idea of putting the monument in a small area of the municipality assigned to the Turkish Embassy just next to the residence came to the mind of Ambassador Namık Tan. Ambassador Namık Tan immediately contacted the Mayor of Washington, DC, and the Mayor told him that the only area that could be given was where our Turkish Flag was located. In a special invitation from the Atatürk Society of America, Ambassador Namık Tan draws Mr. Hüdai Yavalar and his wife, Mrs. Mirat Yavalar, to one side and tells them what to do for now without telling anybody. Ambassador Tan told the members of the Atatürk Society that he could get Atatürk’s statue placed and that he approved using the area next to the residence of the Embassy if they got the figure made without receiving a single penny from him. Indeed, the initiatives should be started between the U.S. Department of State and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain permission during the difficult approval period. Ambassador Tan has received a license immediately from the U.S. Department of State. He has not informed the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the first stage. After an area was determined in the residence’s garden, including the new Turkish Flag, Ambassador Tan rolled up his sleeves to receive “planning permission” from the neighbors.

Ambassador Namık Tan, who worked closely with Nuray Anahtar, the project architect, managed to get every necessary permission. However, everything has just started. Ambassador Namık Tan received the opinions of his colleagues and his trusted names regarding the Atatürk statue’s similarity to Atatürk.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hüdai and his wife, Mrs. Mirat, coordinating with Ambassador Namık Tan and Nuray Anahtar, worked day and night for this indescribable monument. Ambassador Tan is yet to informed the Ministry, and he stipulated that the relocation of the Turkish Flag and the erecting of the Atatürk monument must take place within the same day. After meticulous work, the Turkish Flag was erected in the residence garden, along with the Atatürk monument, next to the Sheridan Circle, facing a busy road. Ambassador Tan has finally done it. The project took a whole year, and now it’s all about the excitement of the opening. The goal was to conduct the program on November 10, the Commemoration of Atatürk with the Statue of Atatürk on November 10, 2013. As a diplomat that protects the values of Atatürk, Ambassador Namık Tan, stating, “This is the proudest moment of my career,” truly fills us with pride.

And the day, November 10, 2013, finally came. Before the opening of the Atatürk Monument at the ceremony, Fugen Tan, the wife of Ambassador Tan, had elaborately organized the ceremony preparations with Atatürk Association. Before the Atatürk Monument was opened, all details, from flowers to its being closed with a black cover, had been prepared.

On the 75th Anniversary of Ataturk’s death, the first Ataturk statue exhibited in a public area was inaugurated. Approximately 200 hundred people attended the ceremony at Sheridan Circle, one of the most important squares of Washington. Ambassador Namık Tan informed the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the ceremony ended and said he received no reaction.

With their emotional speeches, Ambassador Namık Tan and the President of Atatürk Society of America, Hüdai Yavalar, have made history by breaking new grounds and filling everyone with pride.

Bronze Atatürk Statue Measuring Two Meters

The Statue of Atatürk, which measures 208 cm. Members of the Society and Yavalar Family covered all expenses, determined through a contest 1.5 years before. The work of Jeffery Hall, one of the famous sculptors in the country, was selected from the drafts prepared. During the formation process of the statue, Mirat Yavalar always went to Hall’s home and gave him Atatürk’s all picture books with her husband. They examined the photos of Atatürk for a long time during that period. Finally, they decided on his image in the age of his late 40s, which is known best by everybody. In this image, Atatürk is holding a Nutuk (The Speech) book in his hand to refer to his qualification of being a teacher. The statue that was made reflected Atatürk’s whole leadership role.

Mrs. Mirat regularly visits the Atatürk monument to clean and water the flowers.