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http://asbarez.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ArmenianDefenseMinistrySoldier.jpg Artsakh defense serviceman looking above the trenches (Photo: Ministry of Defense of Armenia) BY DAVID ARAKELYAN The AYF’s ‘With Our Soldiers’ campaign has been an important part of the organization’s efforts aimed at strengthening the connection between the Diaspora and our Homeland and a means of expressing our gratitude to those who fought to keep Artsakh Armenian. I have been a part of this campaign since it was first launched in 2012, and can say with confidence that it has been one of the most humbling and motivating experiences of my life. When the ‘With Our Soldiers’ campaign was started, our goal was to turn the nation’s attention towards the problems of our veterans on the eve of the 20th anniversary of liberation of Shushi – one of the greatest military triumphs in our recent history. These veterans were responsible for that victory: they had fought valiantly in Artsakh only to be forgotten by their government and the Armenian society. We aimed to tell their stories, learn about their journey, and thank them for the sacrifices they had made on our behalf. For the first time in 20 years, I visited Armenia in 2012 to meet with these veterans, and that trip left an indelible mark on me. The people I met – the individuals who helped our nation in the time of need – were in need of help themselves, some confined to a wheelchair, others unable to see due to severe eye injuries and many others incapable of finding work because of various health impairments. I vividly remember a trip I made to Hrazdan (in the Kotayk province) to visit Armen Begyan, a young man in his late 30’s who was just 19 years old when he joined the newly formed Armenian Armed Forces and went to the front lines. Having fought in Karvajar and Mardakert, Armen was wounded and spent a long time in snow and cold prior to being rescued by his fellow soldiers. As a result, he had lost mobility in both of his legs and was confined to a wheelchair. With the help of our community and friends, we were able to raise funds to provide Armen with a retrofitted car, and this proud veteran was able to go to work as a taxi driver. He was grateful to be able to take care of himself and his family, and we felt that our efforts helped change someone’s life. During the course of the next two years, the AYF raised more than $80,000 and provided assistance and medical care to the families of more than 70 other freedom fighters. More importantly, the ‘With Our Soldiers’ campaign helped shed light on the issues facing our freedom fighters and warn the Armenian public about the need to stand with those who liberated Artsakh in order to motivate the soldiers who were standing on the front lines and who were going to protect our people and our country during the next attack by Azerbaijan. That attack came in April of 2016. As the nation focused its attention on the heroic deeds of the volunteers and the servicemen defending our Homeland, the AYF re-launched the ‘With Our Soldiers’ campaign, this time with the goal of providing financial relief to those who had lost their loved ones in the Four Day War. Once again, our community and our supporters contributed generously to the campaign, and AYF members in Armenia made visits to the families of our fallen heroes to express our gratitude for their sacrifice and show support during those painful and difficult days. As part of my work on the ‘With Our Soldiers’ campaign, I have spent a lot of time acquainting myself with the biographies of our fallen heroes. I read articles about them, watched heartbreaking videos featuring their stories, and spoke with AYF members in Armenia about their experiencing visiting the grieving families of our soldiers. I have been left in awe with the self-sacrifice and the bravery of these young men, eighteen, nineteen-year-old boys, who defended the portion of our country entrusted to them until their last breath. The heroic deeds of Robert Abajyan, Armenak Urfanyan, and Tigran Abgaryan will be forever inscribed into Armenian history books as examples of the kind of patriotism, self-sacrifice, and courage that keep the Turco-Tatars at bay and ensure Armenia’s existence. The message of the April War is clear: our enemies have not changed, and neither have their goals. They are bent on destroying of our country and our people, and the only thing that is stopping them from achieving their goal is the brave Armenian soldier defending the front lines in Artsakh. Our nation owes these men an immense debt of gratitude, and it is the responsibility of every Armenian to stand with their families and do what we can to assist them and improve the security of our Armed Forces. Every single one of us can contribute in some way to this cause, and the time to act is now because tomorrow may be too late. http://asbarez.com/161949/same-enemies-same-goals/

history repeats itself, but we never learn

Aravot, ArmeniaDec 11 2017 Artsakh sportsman becomes double World Championhttp://www.aravot-en.am/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Artur-Arushanyan-e1512991692765.jpg STEPANAKERT, DECEMBER 11, ARTSAKHPRESS: Ashot Danielyan; the Head of the Department of Sport of Artsakh Ministry of Education, Science and Sport; told Artsakhpressthat Artur Arushanyan won the world champion’s title in the weight category up to 60 kg. Artsakh sportsman Artur Arushanyan won a victory over Russia representative Farid Kasumov. http://www.aravot-en.am/2017/12/11/204569/

Armenian WeeklyDec 12 2017 Stepanakert Welcomes Honolulu City Council’s Intentions to Establish Bilateral RelationsBy Weekly Staff on December 12, 2017 STEPANAKERT, Artsakh (A.W.)—Stepanakert has welcomed Honolulu City Council intentions and efforts toward establishing a bilateral relationship with Artsakh’s capital. A view of Honolulu Hale, the City Hall of Honolulu, Hawaii (Photo: Joel Bradshaw) Answering a question by Stepanakert-based Artsakhpress, Head of the Information and Public Relations Department of Artsakh’s Foreign Ministry Artak Nersisyan said the establishment of such relations will make a “significant contribution to the development and expansion” of the cooperation between Artsakh and Hawaii. “Establishment of bilateral ties remains one of the priorities of our foreign policy agenda. The authorities of Artsakh will continue their efforts aimed at expanding the decentralized cooperation with foreign countries and implementing joint practical programs in different spheres,” Nersisyan added. Honolulu is the capital and the largest city of Hawaii, with a population of over 350,000. On March 29, 2016, the House of Representatives of the State of Hawaii unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the Republic of Artsakh, becoming the seventh state to rally in support of the democratic development and right to self-determination for the people of Artsakh. The Hawaii House of Representatives passed H.R. 167 in the face of enormous pressure from the Azerbaijani Embassy to quash the measure. The key vote took place just 24 hours before Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Washington, D.C., where he joined then-President Barack Obama and other world leaders in a nuclear summit. On April 20, 2016, the Honolulu County and City Council adopted another resolution in support of the continued efforts of the Republic of Artsakh and its authorities, to guarantee the rights of the citizens of Artsakh. https://armenianweekly.com/2017/12/12/stepanakert-welcomes-honolulu-city-councils-intentions-establish-bilateral-relations/

In some ways, as if he is talking about today!