January 28_ the day of the formation of the Armenian Army_ marks one of the most important holidays in Armenia. The Armenian people both in Armenia and Diaspora celebrate this holiday with great pride. Just as 25 years ago the Armenian Army continues to be the only stabile guarantee of security for the Armenian nation.
The Armenian Army Day is celebrated in a special way in Armenia’s bordering villages, as the people living near the borders are well aware of the importance and the mission of the army.
On this day many of the villagers pay visits to the military units to congratulate the servicemen on their day, some of the inhabitants set holiday tables congratulating each other, wishing good, safe service to the Armenian soldiers and recalling their deceased friends…
On the occasion of the holiday Panorama.am has talked to the headmen of some of the border villages in Armenia’s Tavush Province.
The school of the Armenian village of Aygepar solemnly celebrated the Army Day yesterday. Aygepar village headman Andranik Aydinyan told us that this holiday is of particular importance for a village which has faced a war. In his words the most important thing today is maintaining peace.
“The Armenian servicemen certainly fulfill their duty in a perfect and professional manner. However I want them to be more alert and careful now. I congratulate our servicemen on the 25th anniversary of the Armenian Army. Let there be peace and our guys be strong,” Andranik Aydinyan noted.
Head of Berkaber community Arthur Madatyan told Panorama.am that high mood has gripped the village: people congratulate each other and, most importantly, wish peace to our country.
“Let there always be peace in our country and let our soldiers use their weapons only in polygons. We have only one wish: to see our servicemen fulfill their military duty and come back to their families,” Berkaber’s headman said.
It is already several years that in the morning of 28 January the freedom fighters of Armenia’s bordering Baghanis village pay visits to the graves of their fallen comrades afterwards the village launches the celebrations. “We offer toasts to our fallen comrades which is followed by the toasts to the guys who defend our borders,” Baghanis community head Narek Sahakyan told us.
He also added that currently the situation is calm in the village. On 25 and 26 January the adversary fired shots in the direction of Baghanis. “We are already somehow immune to this situation, everyone in the village know how to protect themselves from the shots. The most important thing is to avoid human losses. We are in a high spirits and firmly defend our border,” Narek Sahakyan added.