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On the occasion of the Victory and Peace Day, by the order of the Speaker of the National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan, veterans of the Great Patriotic War Suren Hovhannisyan, Artem Manucharyan, Hayk Avetisyan, Vachagan Martirosyan were awarded NA Medal of Honour and monetary award for the victory in the Great Patriotic War.

On May 10 during the solemn ceremony, which was held in the National Assembly, handing the veterans the awards the head of the parliament Hovik Abrahamyan noted:

“I congratulate you on the occasion of the May glorious holidays: Victory and Peace Day and Liberation of Shushi.

The Armenian soldiers and officers, from the private to the general and marshal, took part in the Patriotic War, which ended 66 years ago. They had their significant contribution in the victory, and on this occasion today I am congratulating all of you, from the glorious soldier of the Great Patriotic War to the freedom fighter and today’s defender.

Today, from the distance of the years, every May 9^th continues to have the same value for the war veterans, which was dozens of years ago, in 1945. That victory unites, brings up generations and forms system of values. We are grateful for your and your military friends’ devotion to the Motherland, as well as for the bravery of the deceased and the heroes.

It’s 19 years that with the liberation of Shushi May 9^th as Victory Day gained for us more weighty significance becoming a symbolic day of our unity, solidarity, and tolerance towards each other and as a result of new victories.

The Great Patriotic War and Artsakh heroic battle serve as a factual evidence of the Armenian soldier being devoted to his Motherland. Time showed that during about half a century between those wars and today the Armenian soldier’s will and spirit are unbending. He was obliged to prove it with battle and weapon, but being permanently guided by the aspiration of peace, principle of not hitting those who fell, without swaggering militancy.

The destiny of Artsakh and the protection of Armenia’s borders consolidated and united us, as the priority is the interest of the Motherland. Today there is need for that. Finally, our unity is necessary for the soldier standing at the border irrespective of his age and birthplace, and it’s necessary as invulnerable shield keeping his rear. Glorifying our deceased heroes I once again congratulate yesterday’s and today’s aged and young soldiers of the Great Patriotic and Artsakh Liberation War on the occasion of the May holidays.

Dear veterans, I especially congratulate you on the Victory and Peace Day. You will continue to remain an example and criterion for the generations and in their upbringing.”

Congratulating the veterans for being awarded the NA Medal of Honour, Hovik Abrahamyan wished them health, peace, welfare and happiness.

The veterans expressed their gratitude for the award and displayed attitude, and one of the veterans, Hayk Avetisyan, gave his book telling about Martuni veterans as a present to the NA Speaker.