Today is Monte Melkonian's Birthday

Today, on November 25, is the birthday of the national hero of Armenia, Monte Melkonian. Monte was born on November 25, 1957, into a family of Armenians who escaped the Great Genocide and settled in Visalia, California, USA.

In October 1990, after enduring a difficult and challenging chapter in his life, Monte managed to return to Armenia. Until September 1991, he balanced scientific and military work. For almost eight months, he worked with specialists from the Academy of Sciences of Armenia on the creation of a comprehensive book titled "Armenia and its Neighbors," but the endeavor remained unfinished due to the tense situation in Shushi and Artsakh and armed clashes.

On September 12, 1991, with a French-Armenian woman as a translator, under the alias Avo, he traveled to the northern gate of Artsakh, to the Shahumyan region. M. Melkonian participated in self-defense and liberation battles in the regions of Ijevan, Chambarak, Shahumyan (Erkej, Buzlukh, Manashid, Karachinar), Martakert, and Martuni of the Republic of Armenia. He led the liberation military operations in Martuni (liberated villages), Kelbajar (Karvachar), and Aghdam. He was killed on June 12, 1993, in the village of Marzili in the Aghdam region.

Throughout his conscious life, he fought for the rights of Armenians, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and the reclamation of our homeland. Numerous songs have been written and performed in memory of Monte, and many documentaries have been filmed about him. One of the military academies of the Armed Forces of Armenia is named after him, as well as streets in Armenia and Artsakh.