“IF A WAR BREAKS OUT, I WILL BE THE FIRST TO GO”

Azg/arm
10 March 05

More than 100 women have their own contribution to the victory in
Artsakh war and the army formation. They neglected hardship and
hazards and joined the army in Artsakh war leaving behind their
families. 17 female fighters died in the war and more than 40 became
disabled. “No one ever thought during the fights that we will appear
in such a condition. Victory was our only goal as we were sure that
even if we are killed our children will be cared for. Who could
imagine that the state will pay no attention to us”, major Aida
Serobian says. She founded the Republican Social Council of Artsakh
War Women and began protecting the rights of her former companions in
arms. “One of the aims of the organization is to support those women
who participated in the war and those still serving in the army. I
turned many times to our wealthy compatriots for help but they did
not react”, Aida Serobian says.

Most of Artsakh war female veterans live under hard social
conditions, and Aida often helps them from her own means. Thanks to
the organizationâ~@~Ys efforts, 3 schools and a street were renamed
after the female veterans and a monument was erected. “I often visit
my perished friends graves in Yerablur. Morale was always high during
the war. I remember once Azeris shooting down at us from the hills
surrounding the village but we were celebrating one of our friends
birthday buried in the village school. But today we are even unable
to visit each other at home”, Aida Serobian says.

Major Serobian recalls that she left to the front without telling the
family members as soon as she heard on TV that Artsakh needs nurses.
She left on April 14 of 1992 and returned home in June 30 of 1994
after the ceasefire.

“I prayed to God every day of the war to see the victory. And it was
hard to believe when a soldier came up to me and said:
â~@~XCongratulations, doctor, the war is overâ~@~Y. When I was back
home my daughter kept on saying â~@~Xmomâ~@~Y after each word for
months. I understood how she missed the word â~@~Xmotherâ~@~Y”, Aida
tells. Aida is still serving at the army today trying meanwhile to
help her friends in arms. “This is not the Armenia we fought for.
Though there are many problems, be sure that I will be the first to
go if, God forbid, a war breaks out”, Aida Serobian says.

By Arevik Badalian

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