President Armen Sarkissian handed high state awards on the occasion of the Army Day: We say state, we mean also army; we say powerful army, we mean powerful state

On the occasion of the Army Day, by the decrees of the President of Armenia a group of soldiers, officers, generals and freedom fighters were bestowed high state awards of the Republic of Armenia for their contribution to, courage, and dedication in the course of military service.

By the decrees of the President of Armenia, a group of high-ranking servicemen were awarded new military ranks.

The official ceremony of handing the high state awards took place today at the Presidential Palace. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Nicol Pashinian, Speaker of the National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan, other high-ranking officials.

President Sarkissian handed the awards, congratulated and conveyed best wishes on the occasion of the Army Day and offered to hold a moment of silence in the memory of those who sacrificed their lives to have today’s strong national Army, of those who gave their lives centuries ago, one hundred years ago, in the Great Patriotic War, in the Artsakh Liberation War.

Noting that on January 28, 1992 the government adopted a decision on the Creation of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, the President said that the national army, like our independent statehood, was our dream for centuries. “In a sense, we were not only dreaming but getting ready for this day, when we have a strong Army,” President Sarkissian said and mentioned among brilliant moments of that historic process the days of the First Republic, Sardarapat, heroic battles of Bash Aparan, Karakilisa, victory in the World War II. The contribution of the Armenian nation to the victory over fascism was great: over 600,000 Armenians fought in that was, 300,000 never came back, there are Armenians Heroes of the USSR, generals, and marshals.

“We had victories and created the Armenian Army which is a victorious Army, a strong regional Army,” President Sarkissian underscored. “We say state, we mean also army; we say powerful army, we mean powerful state.”