YEREVAN. – On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Armed Forces, President of Armenia and Commander-in Chief of the Armed Forces, Serzh Sargsyan, on Saturday awarded over two hundred military servicemen and freedom fighters with the highest awards of the country, medals and orders, and bestowed upon them high military ranks, in recognition of their courage manifested in defending the borders of the homeland, valor, boundless dedication as well as for their contribution to army-building and enhancement of the combat-readiness of the Armenian troops.

Also, the President congratulated the servicemen and the freedom fighters on the occasion of Army Day, and on receiving high state awards, and addressed them.

“Dear Awardees,

“I congratulate you on the occasion of the Army Day and on the receiving the Motherland’s high awards and ranks.

“We are grateful to you for the enormous work you have done and which is called the service to the Motherland. First, we shall commemorate those immortals who are being awarded today posthumously. We, as a nation, stand by the parents who raised these heroes and send to their families the words of compassion and support.

“Those boys fell defending their families, their friends and us all. They fell so that Armenia can live, so that aspirations of our people live on and become a reality. They became immortals and together with us will continue the millennia-long and incessant march of the Armenian nation.

“I congratulate those present in this hall and those who in our Armed Forces carry on with the dedicated work of their fallen brothers in arms. Be aware that the Motherland trusts you and believes in you. We are proud of you; you are the worthy sons of our nation, the power and reliance of our people,” President Serzh Sargsyan said in his address to the awardees.

January 28 is celebrated in Armenia as Army Day, and 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the Armenian Armed Forces.