After April Four-Day War the Responsibility to Protect Our Homeland Deepened: War Participants Tell

• 04.02.2017, 16:55
•  Armenia,  NKR

Vardan Petrosyan

"Armedia" IAA talked with several men, who have passed through the four-day April war, unleashed by Azerbaijan in 2016.  

On one occasion, Mark Twain said: "I think a hero is someone who understands the extent of his responsibility that is given together with freedom." We remembered the words of the American writer not by accident. Interestingly, Vardges Hakobyan, who served in Askeran region of Artsakh during the April war, also mentioned about the importance of responsibility. In response to the question what April war gave him, Vardges mentioned: "The duty that we need to protect our homeland strengthened more in us… We felt well, when the citizens came to give us power, to encourage us."

Vardges told that the war brought changes in the army, in interpersonal relations. "Usual, sometimes bad relations before the war became wonderful during that time."

In response to our question, which three words he would use, when talking about "war", Vardges said: "Strength, loyalty and braveness."

Vardges, who participated in the war advised the newly recruited servicemen to listen to the advice of those with experience in service and perceive them as their senior friends.

Congratulating the 25^th anniversary of the formation of the Armenian Army, Vardges said: "From soldiers to Generals – all of them I wish good service, blue sky and the most positive things."

"Armedia" IAA also talked with Arthur Mkrtchyan who served in "Yeghnikner". According to him war was first of all a great life experience. "Immediately you understand lots of things. Four-day war showed that we should always be there for our brothers, our parents and be ready to everything for them," Arthur mentioned.

According to him the mood in the Army after the April war has not changed much. There has always been warm relations among the servicemen and according to him it could not be otherwise. "We have protected the borders together and without good relations this could not be possible. After the war, of course, these relations deepened," Arthur mentioned.

"The main feeling was to remain alive, not to lose your life to be able to ensure the existence of your family and the nation," Arthur said remembering the days of April war.

He advised the newly recruited servicemen to be watchful. "They should be careful. They should think while doing any step. It is important that they stand side by side – the soldiers, officers mutually."

According to Arthur, the main privilege of the Armenian Army is the braveness and the cleverness of its soldiers.

The April four-day war, the stories of wise steps of our hero guys, their courage and self-confidence were the main privileges of the Armenian Army and remain so.

We are grateful to you, our brave soldiers! Congratulations Armenians that we have this kind of soldiers!!!