Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Friends Visit Grave of Monte Melkonian on 51st Anniversary of his Birthday

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[ 25 November 2008 | 14:34 ] society |


Earlier today, a line of friends and acquaintances of Monte Melkonian paid hommage at his grave site located in the Yeraplur Cemetary for fallen national heroes. Those visiting the cemetary included founding members of the Monte Melkonian Fund, students of the military academy and school bearing his name, and those who fought alongside his side. Alek Yenikomshian, one of the founders of the Monte Melkonian Fund and who knew the fallen hero for thirty years reconted that, “It is often said on these occasions that he has not perished. Such words may have an artificial ring to them but this is the case who intimately knew him. He is always with us, always struggling, and it is our obligation to present heroes not only as individuals but to present the essence, the soul of those heroes as well.”

Vahe Shakhmuradyan, a fellow combattant of Monte’s, stated that he thought it was necessary to present the multi-dimensional aspects of the man. Vahe Shakhmuradyan stated that Monte was a sensitive and penchant individual and noted that while he always had high praise for the soldier, he himself found a bit of fault with that and commented, “In my opinion the leader doesn’t belong to him if he is a leader of the people. Monte should have protected himeself as well. We are also guilty that he isn’t here today. We feel his absence today since his demise was a sort of crime.”

Anahit, a pupil of Public School #11 that bears his name, recited the following words of Monte Melkonian, “I am here today because I don’t have the right to be anywhere else. I have taken an oath and I belong to only one man, the free soldier of the homeland. He is the most exemplary of individuals for me since he has resolved to do everything for the homeland.”

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