Yerkrapah Union members travel to Artsakh
Armen Sayadyan (surnamed Sheytan) is among the 700 members of the Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers (YKM) who recently made a pilgrimage to Artsakh to commemorate their companion in arms killed on the battlefield.
After completing his military service in Afghanistan, the 21-year-old youth returned to Artsakh to protect his homeland. In 1998 he resigned from service.
The lieutenant-colonel who was awarded with the Military Cross (MC) today speaks about his military career with displeasure.
"You get nervous when you hear random people speaking about the war while real fighters are never duly appreciated," says Armen Sayadyan.
Deputy Chairman of Yerkrapah Union of Volunteers (YKM) Khachik Mkrtchyan says the pilgrimage to Artsakh is dedicated to the 19th anniversary of Karabakh Independence, 18th anniversary of Shushi liberation, as well as formation of the Armenian Army and Hadrut regiment. This tradition was initiated by lieutenant general Manvel Grigoryan in 1992.
"The number of pilgrims increases with every passing year involving deputies from Armenia and Artsakh, representatives of local authorities, members of intelligentsia, etc," says Mr. Mkrtchyan
Despite the unfavourable weather conditions, the pilgrims did not leave their tents.
On the first day of their visit, they laid flowers to the tombs of Artsakh heroes. General Manvel Grigoryan had a meeting with locals.
The seven-day pilgrimage will end on September 2 - Independence Day of Artsakh.
