President Sarkissian hosted participants of the April, 2016 military actions: Wars are won not with arms only but also with spirit, heart, and mind

President Armen Sarkissian hosted today a group of former servicemen-participants of the April, 2016 military actions who have created the Union of the participants of the April military actions non-governmental organization.

The President thanked them for their dedication and for fulfilling diligently the duty before the Fatherland. The President of Armenia said in particular that “There is one absolute and simple truth: Events of those days are in the mind and in the heart of our people. Nothing is and will not be forgotten. Your Union is very valuable because in real life, people who are ready ultimately win.” Along with the young men’s valor, President Sarkissian stressed the importance of their experience which is precious.

“Wars are won not with arms only but also with spirit, heart, and mind,” Armen Sarkissian said. “If one of these is missing, a soldier is imperfect. If there is only heart, one is a patriot who can just jump out and get killed. If there is only mind, it is quite possible that at some point you will not be able to cross certain lines since logic will tell you not to do it. But when these two work together, it is the key to success. You need to be sure that what you did, you did for the Fatherland, also for yourselves. When I was young, one of the most prominent minds that impressed me was Napoleon Bonaparte who said this about battles: I calculate and plan the battle, but I also plan all possible alternatives I can finish the battle with which means I don’t plan to win but I rule out failure.

The heroic act of the boys, who with their lives, health, and valor defended our Fatherland, was viewed by the President as an example of patriotism for the younger generation. “You passed an unexpected, a difficult road, which was out of your control, you lost some of your friends, and today each of you is not a man you were before the war,” the President said. He noted at the same time that the life of each soldier is precious, and everything must be done to avoid tragic outcomes.

Members of the military actions of April, 2016 noted that their objective was to unite all servicemen, who participated in the military actions of that period, while their primary goal is to stand by the families of their fallen friends and to support them. President Armen Sarkissian responded, “For many of these families, you are their sons.”

Young heroes also noted that another important task is help their wounded friends. The President told about the program for assisting the troops which became handicap as a result of military actions and noted they had sustained injuries defending the Fatherland and the state has to show through the action that their sacrifice was appreciated. He would urge to engage in state and private sectors the servicemen, who were injured or became impaired during their military service and to fully integrate them.

Members of the military actions of April, 2016 spoke also about a territory for the Union which would promote the full-scale works of their structure. The President of Armenia promised to assist in finding an appropriate solution.