Rushed to the Frontline, Safeguarding the Positions in Karvachar While Utilizing His Medical Skills

The rector of Yerevan State Medical University, Armen Muradyan, writes on his Facebook page: "Modern Heroes: Samvel Gasparyan. Samvel Gasparyan… Brave Soldier, Selfless Future Doctor… In the unequal struggle for the homeland, 25-year-old Samvel, the valiant son of the Gasparyan family, also sacrificed his life. On the very first day of the Artsakh conflict in 2020, Samvel Gasparyan, a third-year student at the Faculty of General Medicine of Yerevan’s Mihitar Heratsi Medical University, volunteered to go to the frontline with his friends.

Samvel was from the village of Vaghashen in the Gegharkunik region. He would have turned 26 on December 13. His classmate Anna describes him as a very modest young man who would never hurt anyone. "He really wanted to become a good doctor but had not yet chosen a specialization," Anna says.

Another classmate, Lilit, recounts, "We didn’t even know he had gone to the frontline. Of course, it was Samvel’s boundless patriotism that motivated him to do so." Samvel had transferred to YSMU from the Faculty of History of Khachatur Abovian State University in Yerevan. "He was very interested in medicine. He also loved playing 'Alliance.' I always lost to him, he was very good at the Armenian language, which allowed him to win. He loved singing 'The Song of Yerevan's Beautiful Girls,' saying, 'There are no beautiful girls like Yerevan girls,'" Lilit recalls with a wistful smile.

Another immortal hero, classmate Varduhi, says, "Samvel was a good friend, considerate and caring. It’s a pity our communication didn’t last long. Even after he moved to another group, he didn’t forget us. We were waiting for our other boys from the group to return from the military so we could gather." As Varduhi continues, Samvel could not sit still for a minute. "He always needed change. When we would suggest going to the movies, he would say, 'I can't just sit here in the same position; think of something else.' Samvel said he always needed new experiences and new people. He loved football; he knew everything about it—every player and statistic. A few days before heading to the frontline, we were talking about gathering our group again, but sadly, we didn’t get the chance. If I had known this would happen, I would have gathered everyone on that very day," Varduhi regrets.

Samvel’s comrade and brother, Artashes, who was also at the frontline from the first day, recalls: "Samvel was very kind, had a big heart, and was always there for everyone, without exception. He wanted to become a doctor to heal all his ill relatives. He had not yet decided on a specialization, but he was probably going to become a surgeon." According to his friend, Samvel had served in military service from 2012 to 2014 in Jrarakan, and during the recent conflict that befell the Armenian people, he rushed to the frontline, safeguarding the Armenian positions in Karvachar, while utilizing his medical skills. "We were in one of the most dangerous positions in Karvachar… We were waiting for the enemy, but unfortunately, the enemy came from above… It was here in Karvachar that our Samvel fell," Artashes adds. Immortal hero Samvel Gasparyan… We bow our heads…"