A group of volunteers in ERZURUM's Oltu district replaced the flag hanging at the top of the 1600-altitude Stare Mountain, which had worn out over time, with a new one after a difficult climb.
The volunteer group, led by Emre Öztaş, Deputy Principal of the Girls' Anatolian Imam Hatip High School in Erzurum's Oltu district, climbed the 1600-altitude Stare Mountain on November 24, 2022, erected a flagpole and hoisted the Turkish flag on this pole. Volunteers who commemorated the martyred teachers also replaced the flag that was worn out at the summit due to extreme winds. Emre Öztaş and his volunteer group went to the summit at regular intervals and took care of the replacement of the flag, which was worn out by factors such as wind and sun.
Seeing that the flag in the windiest area of Oltu was worn out, Öztaş and the volunteers took action once again. The volunteer group took the Turkish flag planted by Oltu Public Education Center clothing teacher Ayşenur Dursun and climbed Stare Mountain. The group, led by Emre Öztaş, Deputy Director of the Public Education Center, crossed steep slopes, steep valleys and paths to raise the new flag. After a walk that lasted about 2 hours, the volunteers reached the top of Stare Mountain, took down the worn out Turkish flag and raised a new one.
At the top of Stare Mountain, Kafkas University Faculty Member Assoc. Dr. While Hasan Aslan was reading the flag poem, photographer Ümit Onat said, "We are honored and proud to wave our flag. Even though we are tired, raising the flag relieves our tiredness."
Oltu Public Education Center Deputy Director Emre Öztaş, the leader of the volunteer group that is closely interested in the flag on Oltu Stare Mountain, called for support so that the flag can be renewed at regular intervals. Öztaş stated that they did not request any financial donations and said, "We do not ask for financial support or money from anyone. We only expect support from the people of Oltu, business people and philanthropists to provide a Turkish flag of 5x4 or 6x4 meters in size to be planted on Stare Mountain. We would be grateful if they help us in this regard."