President Armen Sarkissian Hosts Wounded Soldiers from the War

Today, an event titled "Awakening" dedicated to psychological support for soldiers wounded in the war was held at the Presidential Residence. This initiative was a joint effort of the Office of the President and the "Psychological Support" project, aiming to provide psychological help to those participating and injured during the war in their recovery, adjustment to normal life, as well as issues related to education and employment. The event was organized by the President's initiative within the framework of the "Defender of the Homeland" program.

Participants included former and current servicemen from Shirak, Tavush, Syunik, Gegharkunik, Kotayk, Ararat, Aragatsotn regions, and Yerevan, as well as their families. Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the head of the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, welcomed the initiative, noting: "Our boys, our fighting dear brothers and sons, received severe injuries during the war, some even deemed irreparable. Those who managed to stand on their feet have returned to the frontline because they found their dignity and recovery alongside their brothers. Therefore, the greatest field for recovery for a soldier is the battlefield. The rest is a manifestation of our care, love, support, and the proper assessment of them. Today I want to say that we are the same, with the same gaze, purpose, vision, and victory. We must have a life directed towards the vision of society through the path of care, love, and mission, through the path of the cross. I strongly believe that this initiative is also aimed at that: first to support and then to develop all the unfinished personal and collective capabilities and achievements that we are trying to live with today. God bless this mission, and may we soon see our beloved brothers and their families healed spiritually, physically, and mentally, not only personally but also for our entire nation."

President Armen Sarkissian, in his speech, stated: "I am happy to see all of you here. We all need to see each other often, to talk, to tell stories, to continue our lives no matter how difficult it is after the one and a half months of the past year’s autumn. Many of you, in a sense, have passed through hell, because the war is hell. Today, no one has the right to assess your journey. That assessment must be given by history. In the lives of our homeland’s selfless fighters, victories have been few, there has been struggle, loss, but that struggle was a dedication. If there had been no Aghbyur Serobs, Arabons, Andraniks, there would be no Sardarapat, and if there had been no Sardarapat, there would be no Republic of Armenia. And if there were no Republic of Armenia, there would be no Soviet Republic of Armenia, and if that republic hadn’t existed, this nation wouldn’t have lost 300,000 during World War II, among them glorious names, starting from marshals Baghramyan, Isakov, and others. If it were not for the heroic struggle of World War II, where Armenians showed that they are a fighting, struggling, and victorious nation, the beginning of the 1990s wouldn’t have been, nor the victory of the first Nagorno-Karabakh war in 1994, and there would be no independence of the Republic of Armenia. And of course, this day wouldn’t exist. Each of you must realize that there is Aghbyur Serob within you, must realize that you have walked the same path as commander Andranik, and understand that you and your fallen friends are the foundation and pillar upon which this state stands. Each of you must also realize that you have traveled a difficult road that must be shared with others. As I said, war is hell, but there is a need for people to know what difficult conditions you have been through protecting your homeland. I want to assure you that the names of each of you and your fallen friends, boys and girls, will be written in golden letters in the book of future victories... If there were no war, and I met you as 20-year-old boys and girls, we would discuss the future—what education you should have, what future you should aspire to, how to strengthen our country, move forward. But speaking to you today, I speak not with 20-year-old boys and girls, but with people who have compressed a 15-20 year journey into one and a half months, and therefore you are much wiser, more experienced, you have seen the world, and you can share with others. Each of you has a story. I see that many of you have suffered severe injuries—both physical and psychological. In a sense, healing psychological wounds can be even more challenging than physical ones, as they are not just yours; they are also the wounds of your family members. But I want to assure you, as someone who is not only the President but has also traveled a long road and seen the first war, there is life after war, even after death: your life is ahead. You are only 20 years old. Our common goal should be to strengthen this state, to reconstruct it to some extent, to restore the country in terms of both material, military, economy, science, and technology. You are the witnesses who know that in today's and tomorrow's wars, it is science and technology that will win. You must be among those who will partake in the construction of the new Armenia.

While I talk to you, I also think of the thousands of boys and girls, men, and women who are not with us today. Please remember our lost sisters and brothers, children in silent prayer... No matter how difficult your situation is, how many times more difficult it is for the families, mothers, and fathers who have lost their children, history does not end today. We have compatriots who are in captivity, and their return is an absolute necessity. Every one of their lives has immense value. We must do everything to bring them back. As President, I do what I can, also using my personal connections, even writing to the UN Secretary-General, the EU leadership, the Red Cross, everyone. Unfortunately, the solution is not in the hands of the UN Secretary-General, nor the Red Cross; the final resolution is beyond the border. There, inhuman decisions are made—holding living people hostage in exchange for something else. However, raising our voice and applying pressure on the international community by the President of the Republic is absolutely necessary. I hope and pray that we will eventually reach the day when the boys and girls will return. I cannot today not mention and think of, share my concerns with you regarding the families whose children are missing, who do not know what fate has befallen their children, and live on the edge of hell and paradise. My thoughts and prayers, my work are also with them, so that clarity is restored in their lives as soon as possible. The Presidential Office is working with the government, international organizations, and the Human Rights Defender. A solution to these issues must be provided urgently.

As I mentioned, there is life even after death. I want someone to stand next to me, a person whose name I do not even want to mention, because you all know him well. Colonel (Sargis Stepanyan) is the person who has proven with his life that there is life after death. We met some time ago when I was joyfully and proudly sharing with them the great delight of victory, because our children, people who have some physical difficulties for various reasons during life, returned triumphantly from the world championship. We are talking about 5-6 medals; each of their life stories is a story of victory... Boys, your second life is just beginning. You have lived one life, for going through war means a whole life. You have gone through it, and a new life begins. I want each of you to believe and start this new life from tomorrow, fighting for new victories because I see future doctors, lawyers, and politicians in you. Do not be afraid at all. Life and the world are open before you. Never try to participate in or initiate something that will divide you—one will have one name, another will have another, one will have one color, another will have another. We have no colors; we have the tricolor. We are so rich in human colors that talking about one color is pointless. There is only one thing: we are all together. The Office of the President and all our partners are ready to do everything to ensure each of you finds your place in life. I see in each of your faces the silent but also strong determination of a vibrant young person who has already recognized life. The Presidential Office is implementing the "Defender of the Homeland" program, which aims not only to bring you together but also to address specific issues. We have a program where young people who have passed your path are taught a new profession. We are ready to work with you.

Above all, I wish all of you both physical and spiritual health. I wish each of you to find your happiness, the profession you love, achieve great success, become champions, continue the fight, and serve our great homeland to which you have given your whole spirit, self, and to which many of your friends have given their lives. We bow to the memory of all and wish each of you future victories. Their memory will remain eternally alive only with our future victories, of which you must be the builders."

During the event, participants also discussed their experiences with Deputy Colonel of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, President of the Federation of Adapted Sports, and triple champion of the Arm Wrestling World Championship, Sargis Stepanyan, Director of the Applied Psychology Center at Yerevan State University, psychotherapist David Gevorgyan, and representatives of the President's Office. The event also included separate group discussions, where specialists listened to participants' opinions and issues and provided suggestions for solutions.