COL. CRAIG CARLSON'S REMARKS TO TURKISH COMMUNITY

ON BEHALF OF GENERAL HACKETT AND THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY, I WANT TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE PERSONAL SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF OUR NATO ALLIES.

BUT WE MUST ALSO THANK THE ENTIRE IZMIR COMMUNITY FOR ITS WARMTH AND COMPASSION.

PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAVE SHOWERED OUR SERVICE MEMBERS WITH FLOWERS, GIFTS AND ENCOURAGING WORDS.

IN TIMES OF TROUBLE, WE REALIZE WHO OUR TRUE FRIENDS ARE.

THE PEOPLE OF IZMIR HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES OUR FRIENDS.  THANK YOU FOR THAT SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP.