POWER OF BROTHERHOOD

In the RA Armed Forces representatives of national minorities serve. Today we present Major Kheder Mirzoyan, Yezid by nationality.

Major Kheder Mirzoyan was born on April 8, 1983 in Yerevan. After completing school he was admitted to Omsk Tank Engineering Institute. In 2005 he was appointed as deputy on arms, afterwards – commander of company of tank battalion, deputy on armaments of artillery battalion. Since 2012 he is the head of service of the regiment which is under the command of Colonel Ashot Ghazaryan.

– People often ask me – why I have chosen the profession of a serviceman? Probably they think – I am a Yezid, what is forcing me to defend Armenia? But Armenia is my Homeland! And I am linked with this soil with 1000 threads. Here my parents, me, my brother and sister were born, here I went to school, played with friends, drink this water, feel the goodwill and kindness of these people, here I started a family, my children were born here, here is my home…

I chose this profession because I was sure that I’ll be a good militaryman, I’ll fulfill the obligations of the Homeland defender with honour and dignity.

I’ve studied the history of Armenian military art. My father, Surik Mirzoyan helped me in that. He is a specialist on the history of Armenian nation, and we often discussed together fateful battles of liberation struggle. I was feeling proud inwardly that during the heroic battles of Bash Aparan, Sardarapat the Yezid nation headed by legendary commander Jhangir Agha had its effective participation, and during Artsakh war Yezid-volunteers struggled for freedom and victory.

I am confident, if I deserve, I’ll reach my goal since during my service I’ve never noticed discrimination against me. Moreover, I always felt loved and respected. I know six Yezid officers who occupy high positions in our army.

SHOUSHAN STEPANYAN
Photo by G.ARMENAKYAN