The most painful diploma delivery

Ten people, including five forestry workers and five AKUT volunteers, lost their lives while responding to a forest fire that broke out in the Büyükyayla neighborhood of Eskişehir's Seyitgazi district on July 22. Among those killed in the fire was university student and AKUT volunteer Tekin Enes Sarıyıldız. The 24-year-old martyr had been volunteering with AKUT since he was 18.

Martyr Sarıyıldız was a senior in the Statistics Department of the Faculty of Science at Gazi University. Although he successfully passed his final exam, he was unable to receive his graduation diploma.

The university administration took action to fulfill his family's dream of seeing their son receive his diploma. Sarıyıldız's diploma was delivered to his family, who live in the Keçiören district of Ankara, by Gazi University Rector Prof. Dr. Uğur Ünal. During his visit to the family, Rector Ünal offered his condolences to Sarıyıldız's parents and recited a verse from the Quran for the martyred Sarıyıldız.

Ünal then presented the diploma to the family, saying that martyr Sarıyıldız was a child who was a valuable asset to society. Ünal said, "This country belongs to all of us. We are here for a child who sacrificed his own life to protect our country so that others could be saved. The right of these children cannot be repaid. Today, we see what a good child you raised. May God be pleased with you."

"HE WAS A VERY SMART AND LIKE A DIAMOND CHILD" Martyr's father, Tekin Sarıyıldız, talked about his son's dreams and volunteer work.

Sarıyıldız stated that his wife Reyhan had contributed a lot to their son and that he really wanted to get his diploma.

Sarıyıldız noted that one of their son's unfinished dreams had been fulfilled with the awarding of his diploma, and explained that after receiving his diploma, he wanted to continue his education at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. "My son was a very smart and brilliant child," Sarıyıldız said. "Our son, not only Enes but all his friends were brilliant and very special children."

"GOD BROUGHT MY SON INTO THE WORLD FOR AKUT" Pointing out that their son Tekin Enes Sarıyıldız has been an AKUT volunteer since he was 18, Sarıyıldız said the following:

"God brought my son into this world for AKUT. I always said, 'This is your father's house, AKUT is your own home.' He embraced him so much, he loved him so much. All of them, including the foresters, are very special children. They are truly Türkiye's greatest treasures, not just Türkiye's, but the world's. A tree, a wolf, or a bird doesn't have a nationality. They are the entire world's treasure. My son loved his country very much; he is a martyr of his country, but also a martyr of the world and of love," he said.

Sarıyıldız explained that his son's scout friends had come to visit them, saying, "I specifically told the leaders: education must be provided, but first and foremost, no matter who it is, put love into it. When there is love, everything becomes so beautiful. These children going willingly, smiling, embracing each other, becoming martyrs, are the result of love and devotion. Love will save our country."

Source: AA