STEADFAST HOUSE

In 2012, while on duty at the forefront, deputy battalion commander, Major Vardan Vardanyan was killed of the mine explosion. By order of the President of Armenia V.Vardanyan posthumously awarded the medal “For military merit”.

With the deputy commander on work with personnel, Major Vahan Stepanyan we enter the house of Vardan. Major Lernik Ohanian, who served near Vardan, says: “I learned a lot from Vardan: how to carry out combat duty, to prepare the fighting position, to carry out engineering and protective works. Every day I thank him for these lessons.”

Vardan’s widow, Larissa meets us. In the right corner of the house, on a small almirah there is Vardan’s photo and his medals. In 1988 he participated in the Karabakh movement, protection of national borders, liberation of Berdzor, dedicated himself to the army.

– We together raised our four children: three sons and a daughter. It was hard, but we never complained about life, – says Larissa. – My oldest son, Aram, served in a special forces, and is now studying at the Medical University. Daughter Hratsyn is doing post-graduation at the YSU Department of Diaspora Studies. Twins Amram and Arman are in the first year of the State Institute of Physical Culture. Here are my husband’s medals, and those – twins’ awards.

Already in the yard we were approached by the spiritual leader of Berd town and the region, the priest Aram Mirzoyan, who, turning to the widow of Vardan, said:

– Today’s independence, freedom, peace, what we have, demanded a higher price, and this price is the blood of our defender. Larissa, you have given the most valuable thing to us. Biblical truth states: – there is no bigger love than someone who is willing to sacrifice himself for others. People like Vardan, are endowed with great love, who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and independence of our country.

Samvel Harutyunyan