After hearing the terrible news, all the men of the Basen village in the Shirak Province, including young and old, were in a rush to defend the Motherland. The village leader was even among those who went to the frontlines. The village blacksmith and shepherd also went, as well as people who were Russian citizens.
The Russian citizens were passionate about going to the battlefield. Some even hid the fact that they were ill. Approximately 60 people went to the frontlines, but unfortunately, 5 of them died. Three young people, including 22-year-old Gevorg Kantalyan, 21-year-old Davit Ghazaryan, who was an athlete, and Martin Sisyan died. In addition, the village blacksmith, Perch Antonyan, who has four children, and the 37-year-old shepherd Arkady Baghdasaryan also died. Arkady has three children.
The village laid the martyrs to rest at the village school. By the way, the Basen village’s cross, which is a symbol of immortality, was created by Perch Antonyan.
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The head of the Basen village, Roman Hamayakyan, told Aravot Daily, “All of these men were beacons of light. They were caring and reliable people. We all went together. I came back last night, but I will go back today. In the beginning, 35 of us went to the frontlines. Then, the volunteers came and the number increased. Of our village’s 1,700 residents, 60 went to fight for the Motherland. All of them are at the frontlines, and all are ready to carry out their duty to the Motherland. Everyone was happy when they left. We even asked some people to come back, but no one did. Perch Antonyan has four children. We asked him to return, but he said, ‘No, I decided to come, and I will fight until the end.’ Everyone had one goal- to save the Motherland. Everyone left their lives in the village behind and went for that goal. One of the young people had a health condition, but his youthful energy and love for the Motherland did not let him stay behind. Unfortunately, they died,” the village leader said.
Russian citizen Igarik Avagyan, who returned from Russia to defend Armenia, said, “We were happy to go to the frontlines. We were not scared. There were even young people such as Sarik, who was so skinny at 40 kilograms. A bag was even heavier than he was. But you should have seen how happy he was. Everyone was in a good mood. They were brave. We all realize where we are going and for what.”
Nune Arevshatyan
