A SOLDIER’S LOVE NEVER ENDS…

Zangakatun village is on the border of the border and like other border settlements it lives between war and peace. Those who live on the border have a special love and reverence for the soldiers, the guarantors of their peaceful life, ensuring their security. They send conscripts to the army with honor and affection, and solemnly meet the returnees. The whole village gathers in the family of a discharged soldier, and the day becomes a holiday.

Junior Sergeant David Ghazaryan was discharged on January 17. Two years ago that day he was called up with two of his fellow villagers, and two years later they returned home on the same day. The village met the defenders of the homeland with fireworks.

David was awarded a letter of appreciation for his conscientious service, and on January 28 –the Army Day — he was awarded a vacation..

“The military gave me good friends who are like brothers, with whom I shared the hardships and joys of the military life. Now I am welcomed at any corner of Armenia. I have fellow servicemen almost everywhere.

David’s grandmother, Kanakara, recalls different episodes of the Artsakh war, tells stories about the war heroes, about the village standing firmly behind the soldiers, and adds that much has changed in our army now: the food, clothing and weapons have improved. And only one thing has not changed since the old days: the soldier’s love for the homeland.

By ALICE ALAVERDYAN

Photo by AREG VARDANYAN