YEREVAN. – The Homeland Defenders movement formed along with the development of our modern statehood, and it had an outstanding role in the defense of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Armenia (PHOTOS). 

The President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, on Saturday stated the aforesaid at the 11th Congress of the Yerkrapah (Homeland Defenders) Volunteer Union (HDVU).

“From that time on, the very name Homeland Defenders is used in singular as well as in plural and means a strong individual and a union of bright individuals,” noted the President. “The HDVU has formed traditions and principles at the origins of which was the founder and irreplaceable leader of the Union, [former PM, the late] Vazgen Sargsyan. These traditions and principles are maintained and developed in step with the millennia-long march of our country and our society.

“In our society, Homeland Defenders represent an entire stratum. It’s a unique stratum in which the biography of its each member is intertwined with the biography of our country. It is intertwined with the history of liberating, defending and strengthening of our own country. In the end of the day, stories of the people present in this hall represent the collective history of our struggle and our victories.

“When the country was in danger, farmers, intellectuals and workers had become the homeland defenders. You carried out your mission with honor. Today, from the decades’ perspective we can confidently call your deeds a ‘historic mission.’ You came back to your peaceful work at the moment it became possible.

“You came back with the pain of loss of your combat friends in your hearts but also with the understanding that the ceasefire, which the enemy was forced to accept, was not an ultimate peace yet. You came back with the understanding that there were still many things to do until the ultimate peace was established in our land and serenity reigned on our borders.

“This structure has been carrying out an important job and today too is working actively. You know the details better than I do, but I would like to stress particularly the important role which you have had in the military and patriotic education of our young people.

“The bright youth we have today in Armenia is the product of the efforts made by our state and the entire society. The product created by the families but also by the participants of the Artsakh Liberation War, which means your personal example and that of your brothers in arms.

“Any tree is judged against its fruits. Let all disbelievers look and see, let them lay to rest their doubts. Our youth, the freedom loving and defiant generation of our independence, reasserts that our tree of life is healthy, strong, and abundant.

“The Homeland Defenders have been living for decades under the motto, ‘If necessary, we will go again to defend the Fatherland.’ It became necessary last year, in April. And you went again. Many of you now have grey hair, but you went and stood next to our young lion cubs. You went to share their burden but also to give a new spirit and resolve to the new but not less valiant defenders of our land.

“For them at that time you already were ‘uncles.’ It never occurred to us during the Artsakh Liberation War. Now, I will address you just like our young soldiers address you.

“Let no one doubt that we are devoted unconditionally to the task of defending our homeland, we are ready at any moment to stand at the frontline, in trenches together with our young soldiers, our regular army to defend our Fatherland, we are true to our pledge, and we are loyal to the bright memory of our fallen brothers in arms.

“The Homeland Defenders Voluntary Union as a non-governmental organization has a unique status within our society. This fact speaks of your power, speaks of your organizational strength, unity, and a great reputation within the society.

“Today, Armenia stands at the threshold of a major reformation and transformation. We are making a transition to the parliamentary model of governance and we have to make the transition painless. In the process, we also have to ensure stability and the rule of law.”