The Day the Music Died

June 12th marked the 12th anniversary of “the day the music died.” This is the day my father-in-law Saribek Martirosyan was killed in battle along with Monte Melkonian and a 17 year-old solider named Verj, who was from the village of Bertashen and died about 500 meter from where Monte was killed as he and his unit were coming to aid Monte, who was under attack. Verj's unit encountered the Azeris who were retreating for Aghdam after killing Monte.

The reason I call it the day the music died was because Saribek was not only the head of recon in the Martuni region, but he was a well accomplished singer in Artsakh and Azerbaijan.

We went to Merzulu in the morning, to pay our respects to Monte, where we laid flowers at the stone cross that marks the place Monte was killed.

After a gathering at Monte’s statue in the government square in Martuni, we made our way to the cemetery where Saribek was laid to rest 12 years ago.

After our visit, we went to my mother-in-laws house, where we had a meal and remembered Saribek, Monte, Verj and all those who were martyred in the defense of our country.