The bust of late sergeant Ömer Halisdemir, who was killed by coup plotters in Ankara on July 15, was introduced to the public with a ceremony in Mersin on Tuesday. Commissioned by Mersin's Toroslar Municipality, the sculpture is located in Mehmetçik Park. Mersin Governor Özdemir Çakacak spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing that the Turkish nation will be successful in its fight for independence as long as it remembers the spirit of the Battle of Gallipoli and the Turkish War of Independence. Saying that people who display such levels of bravery can alter the direction of history, Governor Çakacak said: "Martyr Ömer Halisdemir was a hero who changed the course of history on the night of July 15. At the order of his commander, he did what he had to do to keep coup plotters out of military headquarters, knowing that he was risking his life. This [act of bravery] has the spirit of Gallipoli and the War of Independence. As long as we have heroes like Halisdemir, the Turkish nation will stay strong."

Toroslar Municipality Mayor Hamit Tuna also spoke at the ceremony, saying that the Turkish nation remembers every hero who shed his or her blood for the country, informing that the bust of Halisdemir has been erected next to Corporal Seyit, who was one of the heroes of the Battle of Gallipoli during World War I.

The sculpture which aims to keep the memory of Sgt. Halisdemir alive was completed in 13 days under the commission of the Toroslar Municipality. The bust measures 4.60 meters in length from its base to the top of the sculpture.