Our sons and brothers fell for nation’s peace and future – Armenian president
On the occasion of the First Republic Day, President Serzh Sargsyan handed posthumous awards to the family members of the servicemen who died in year 2016 in combat and non-combat conditions, volunteers, members of the home guard and reservists the highest state decorations.
At the ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, the president said that the younger generation in Armenia will remember their feats forever just as the present-day generation remembers brave who fell one hundred years ago.
The event was attended also by Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, who also delivered a speech at the event.
Mr Sargsyan’s address, published on the official website of the Armenian president, is provided below:
“Your Holiness,
“Ladies and Gentlemen:
“As a rule, in situations like this, I start my speech with the words ‘Dear Awardee’. Today however is a different occasion. Our precious and beloved awardees are not with us. They are being awarded posthumously. I have to confess that psychologically this is the most difficult duty which I have to perform from time to time.
“Our heroic sons and brothers fell for their beloved ones, for us all, for Armenia, for the peaceful and eternal existence of the Armenian nation. At the fateful moment, they’ve made their choice. They have chosen freedom and dignity. Many of them were very young, way too young, but their choice and deeds were so mature that they have made also our entire society more mature. In a couple of days, they changed from students into tutors and became the torchbearers of the new generation born by independent Armenia. They have raised the bar of decency so high that it will be impossible to circumvent. Their life and heroism embody the code of honor of the citizen of Armenia and of the Armenian soldier which will be impossible to circumvent. It will be impossible because the are here with us, and among us. They are present and are doing a greater job than some of those who are physically “present”. For that very reason, allow me nevertheless to address them and say:
“Dear Awardees,
“I congratulate you on receiving high state awards. I also congratulate you on the occasion of the Republic Day. Heroes just like you fell in the battles of 1918, so that the Armenian nation could live, so that Armenia could exist. And Armenia lives. For us, you are the same heroes as those of Sardarapat, Bash-Aparan, Gharakilisa. One hundred years later, young generations will remember you, just as we remember today the brave martyred one hundred years before.
“Dear Awardees,
“Rest in peace and be sure that we are a nation thanks to you, we are a state thanks to you, and we are a decent people thanks you. Every generation will know it and never not forget it. You’ve left a great pain but also a great pride and bequest to us. We bow to your deeds and promise to redouble our efforts to do all the best you left unfinished.
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