Visiting Ataturk

The above photo is of Ataturk who founded the Republic of Turkey in 1922 and who is revered in Turkey as its greatest statesman (died 1938).  On the way home the other day, I came upon this statue and through conversations with the office I learned that it fronts the Ataturk High School, a premier school, established in 1957 by Turkey in honor of Turkey's close relationship with Mongolia. There still are Turkish tribes in outer Mongolia that continue close ties with Turkey but are loyal to Mongolia. 

Now for the rest of the story...Several years ago Lynne and I went on a sailing cruise with my old Army buddy and his wife, Alan and Chris Klavans, ending the trip in Istanbul.  We found the city of Istanbul and its secular government and sophisticated ways to be surprisingly impressive.  Turkey still follows the ideals of Ataturk but is having a problem with a growing muslim population.  The Turkish government continues to hold to non-involvement with all religions but this is becoming much more difficult to sustain. Anyway, hats off to the Turkish tribes of Mongolia and this high school in the UB,  and to our old and dear friends, Alan and Chris.  And so it goes...