Frequent Misinformation Circulates About My Brother's Death: Maria Gishyan

Maria Gishyan wrote on her Facebook page: “I kindly ask you to spread this as much as possible. Since there is often a lot of incorrect or incomplete information circulating about my brother’s death, I feel it is necessary to clarify: My brother, David Gishyan, was not a soldier who randomly fell into captivity and was killed. My brother fought for hours; in the morning, when the situation had become untenable, the group retreated. Noticing that his friend was missing, my brother armed himself and went back alone to find his friend, at which point the enemy was already just a few meters away. After that, David was severely wounded and taken captive. My brother consciously chose to take that step, sacrificially attempting to help another, which led to him being left bleeding in the hands of the enemy and dying.

From the given position, only my brother and the young man he went back for were killed. The others are alive, for which I am very grateful. May this pain not be seen or felt by anyone. My brother had been in the same position for the last few months and was extremely familiar with the terrain, often sharing stories with me. Whenever someone mentions ‘the captured and killed David Gishyan,’ they should not hesitate to write the reality: ‘the fighter who ignored his own chance of survival to face the enemy alone in order to help a friend and was captured as a result—David Gishyan.’ David Gishyan, whose every drop of blood is worth more than this homeland. My brother, who for the last 9 months had almost never come down from the positions, standing awake with a weapon in hand in the darkest and most dangerous hours of the night, under the rain, snow, and sun.

“Hero soldier,” “Eternal glory,” and similar empty comments, please refrain from leaving. Because in this country, that ‘eternity’ lasts a few days after a soldier's death and sometimes only in celebrations—before meals, they will remember to raise a glass for fallen hero soldiers, and two minutes later, they won’t hesitate to throw themselves into the dance floor under the claps of Turkish tunes. Because there is no justification for your ‘absence’ and the ‘presence’ of others. Because I have always known that no homeland is worthy of the blood of an 18-year-old. This is not how a country is preserved.

Yes, eternal glory to my 19-year-old, beautiful, unique, noble, big-hearted, intelligent brother, and to our other brothers. But that eternal glory will not be earned through empty words and comments. And yes, I am immensely guilty for not doing more to keep my little brother away from that evil.

You were light; even in death, you are brighter and more beautiful than we ‘who live.’ The term ‘soldier who gave his life for the homeland’ is far too small and shabby for you; that ‘soldier’ title tried to overshadow your individuality, but you were always a thousand times more than that. It’s regrettable that you were so honorable and a bit selfish. Glory to you.”