THIS NATION IS NOT THAT RICH
Retired Major General Muzaffer Erendil recounts:
Atatürk once traveled to Mersin aboard the Ege steamer. On the
return, the ship stopped at Fethiye. While the townspeople were
celebrating, fireworks were being launched from the ships.
As Atatürk watched the festivities from the Zafer torpedo boat,
one of the commanders suggested to the torpedo boat’s captain
that a torpedo be fired. The captain replied:
— Certainly, sir. But a single torpedo
costs fifty thousand lira.
Upon hearing this, Atatürk said:
— Forget about firing a torpedo. This
nation is not that rich.
Then, turning to the torpedo captain, he added:
— I congratulate you.