On January 17, Ambassador James Jeffrey visited the memorials to the great battle of Sakarya, west of Ankara. This epic battle, fought for 21 days in August and September 1921 along a 100 kilometer front near the Sakarya River, marked the turning point in the Turkish War of Independence and prevented the Greek army from advancing on the new Turkish capital of Ankara. The Ambassador first visited the Karargah Müzesi in Alagöz, the house that Ataturk chose for his field headquarters during the battle. There, he wrote in the guest book: “The victory of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk not only gave birth to our ally, modern Turkey, but served as an inspiration for all who yearn for independence and sovereignty.”