Tributes were paid to legendary commander, National Hero of Armenia Vahagn Asatryan at the Yerablur Military Pantheon in Yerevan on the first anniversary of his death on Tuesday, 12 October. The hero commander was killed in the 44-day war in Artsakh.
The commemoration event was attended by high-ranking officers, his fellow soldiers and relatives. They observed a minute’s silence in memory of Colonel Vahagn Asatryan and laid flowers at his grave. The army’s spiritual leader Fr. Movses Sargsyan held a requiem service.
Speaking to reporters, Armenia’s former Defense Minister and opposition Armenia faction MP Seyran Ohanyan stated his memory will “live with us forever”.
“The Armenian army, first of all, lost a man who dedicated his entire life to military service, always standing with his soldiers. Vahagn was a man who would rush to save anyone’s life. Loyalty is also defined by the fact that one is ready to die for the homeland,” Ohanyan said.
The MP said due to his high level of professional skills, Vahagn Asatryan was appointed commander of the special forces.
“He filled the constellation of commanders, who saved the dignity of our country and defended our lands in Armenia and Artsakh,” Ohanyan noted.
According to Artak Davtyan, Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, the National Hero title is not conferred upon anyone just like that.
"Vahagn Asatryan always held a number of command positions, demonstrating firm will and strong abilities everywhere, as a result of which the command of that military unit was entrusted to him," Davtyan said.
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