Remarks by Ambassador Jeffry L. Flake for the 247th Independence Day Celebration in Ankara Good evening everyone, hoş geldiniz. What an honor it is for Cheryl and me to celebrate 247 years of American Independence with you. I would like to recognize Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay for joining us tonight. I am also thankful to share this occasion with our entire family visiting from the States. We cherish our democratic tradition in America, and so does Türkiye. This year is a special milestone because it marks the centennial of the Turkish Republic. When Ataturk founded the modern republic,...