Turkish military leader honors America's fallen

ARLINGTON, Va. (Jan. 27, 2015) -- Turkish Land Forces Commander, Gen. Hulusi Akar, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery to honor America's fallen. Akar was accompanied during the Army Wreath Laying Ceremony by Gen. Ray Odierno, 38th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, and Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington commanding general.

Akar was also presented the Legion of Merit medal in Conmy Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall by Odierno prior to the cemetery ceremony.

According to U.S. State Department, Turkey has been a NATO ally since 1952, an active partner in International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stabilization operations in Afghanistan, and represents NATO's vital eastern anchor, controlling (in accordance with international conventions) the straits of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles, which link the Black Sea with the Mediterranean. Turkey also borders Iran, Iraq, and Syria, underscoring Turkey's strategic geographic significance.

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