"Mom, you have to be prepared for everything": 20-year-old Edward often repeated these words before his death

"Mom, you have to be prepared for everything": 20-year-old Edward Sianossian often told his mother these words in the last moments of his life. When his parents expressed concern about his statements, he would reply, "Don’t you know what mixed times we are in, mom, why aren’t you prepared?" This is reported by Aravot.am.

Edward Sianossian was killed on September 13, 2022, as a result of Azerbaijani military aggression against the sovereign territory of Armenia while defending positions in Jermuk. His sister, Liana, recounts that Edward was drafted on March 11, 2021, and initially served in Chambarak; his parents were anxious, worrying that tensions often escalated there. However, when they were transferred to Jermuk, they felt much calmer, believing that it was peaceful there. But, it seems, no border has remained peaceful.

Before his draft, according to Liana, they didn’t hold a major celebration. After the 44-day war, which had shaken many families, who would joyfully send their son to the army as in the past? Relatives had come to wish him a safe service. They had planned to celebrate big once he returned home, everything was organized, he only had six more months to serve until he would be back.

Upon hearing the news of the conflict on September 13, Edward's parents called him repeatedly, as they had spoken with him the day before, and everything seemed fine. Edward was also very reserved; if there was something wrong, he would never share it with his family and never talked about military matters, serving without complaints.

Despite their many calls, nothing came through. They began searching for him in every possible place and by any means. Liana says they searched for Edward for 16 days. This search was akin to going to “that world,” although there was also hope. The Ministry of Defense had informed them that Edward was on the missing persons list. Later, they found a video of Armenian prisoners of war online, where one boy bore a striking resemblance to Edward. Their parents went to the Red Cross office. Liana shares that the boy in the video looked like her brother, and their parents felt a glimmer of hope that perhaps he was alive: "But I felt that no, it wasn't Edward in the video. I told my mom about it, but she probably wanted it to be him too." Edward would always say, "I’ll kill myself before I end up in captivity".

After searching for their son for a long time to no avail, Edward’s father, seeing no other option, suggested that they give DNA samples. They did. Days later, on September 29, they received a call informing them that the DNA matched. However, even after his death was confirmed, Edward’s information remained on the missing persons list. Now mothers feel relieved that they are not receiving the remains of their sons, but whole corpses find their way back. Liana notes that her brother's body was intact, which offered some solace to their parents; Edward's body was among the 95 remains returned by Azerbaijan.

In the first months of service, Edward participated in the battles at Ishkhanasar on November 16, 2021. “After that, we felt just how much Edward had changed. His love for the homeland had intensified. Sometimes, mom jokingly said, 'Edo, what can we do to keep you from going to the army?' My brother would get angry and say, 'Mom, those boys gave their lives to protect you and my sister; how are their moms different from you, why should other boys give their lives to protect you?'”

Liana says that Edward was killed while helping a fellow serviceman. This family has felt the bitterness of war, losing young descendants. Liana recounts that on March 10, 2020, her cousin was killed while defending the Yerasx positions, a contracted service member named Zohrap Sianossian. During the 44-day war, her uncle’s son Narik Sahakyan, a conscript, was also killed. Liana says that her brother would always call their father, and he would cry during every call. “Probably the reason is that my dad served in Tavush in 1995, was severely wounded during battles, and they even thought he had died. He was miraculously saved. And my dad understands the dangers of service very well.”

None of the senior military officials or officers visited Edward’s parents. “My brother was born with great difficulty; my father had to choose between saving the child or the mother. Mom said, 'I would have given birth to a son at the cost of my life, raise him well, and send him healthy to the army, only for them to bring back my dead child?' When they came to our house with the flag and handed it over to my mom, she said, 'How, is this flag for my child now?'” Liana shares memories with us, telling stories from her brother's childhood and youth, saying he was principled, mature, and balanced. He always socialized with older boys and was very brave, responsible, and had so many plans; most importantly, to return from the army, work hard, and earn enough so that his parents would not have to worry. “Before going to the army, I asked my brother if he had a girlfriend. I thought if he had a girlfriend, service would be easier for him. Edward replied, 'You don’t know what will happen, I don’t want to make that girl unhappy.'”