‘I, CITIZEN OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA, …’
By Gohar Sargsian

AZG Armenian Daily
16/05/2006

These are the first words of the oath of those going to their
death. Artur Sarukhanian was the 5th to read it. He was sure
at that moment that he will go to Artsakh and will return with
victory. Mrs. Elmira is reading her son’s diplomas as though expecting
to find out something new, but in fact she can recite what is written
there. She says she remembers everything. Even things that were
written about Artur in a book of dream interpretations.

Artur was born in a house at the backyard of Khachatur Abovian Museum
in 1971. Upon finishing the 103d secondary school he entered the
polygraphic school. In 1989 he was called up to the Soviet army and
served in the special guard of Kremlin. His sublime appearance and
excellent command of Russian language embarrassed foreigners. Only
his surname would indicate his nationality. Artur had an Azerbaijani
mate in Moscow.

Artur did not trust him. Mrs. Elmira says that even commanders worried
about Artur. He often talked about Artsakh with the Azeri and used
to say that it will be liberated some day.

After the events of 1991, Artur came back home. He said he was leaving
for Artsakh. No one believed him.

His mother knew that her son is unable to kill.

Without telling the folks Artur went to military registration and
enlistment office. He asked there to be sent to Artsakh and was
said that it was impossible for then. That very day he met Vazgen
Sargsian. Then he returned home and said with blazing eyes: “Mom,
can you imagine, I played football with Vazgen.”

Nevertheless, Artur left his home for the front. But returned in a
week. There was no uniform for recruits.

In a couple of days Artur got in a car accident.

Opening his eyes at the rehab ward he said: “Let me go. I have to go
to Karabakh. Where are my parents?

They must be looking for me.” His parents were waiting at the
corridor. At that moment Mrs. Elmira was praising God that his Artur
was ok but today she would prefer he had broken his leg to stay
at home.

It was 5 of September. Having liberated 8 villages “Artsiv-1” squad
appeared in encirclement. When the corridor was open, and the squad
began pulling out, Artur did not move. In a distance of 15 meters
to the enemy his fiend was lying dead. Artur would not allow Azeris
take his friend either dead or alive. He crawled to him and tried to
embrace. At that instance a bullet got him.

Mrs. Elmira says that 2 years ago she did not believe that Artur
is no more. She did not see her son’s body, the tomb was empty for
her. Only 2 years ago Artur’s picture was impressed on a khachkar. Now
she visits the memorial; she goes to her Artur. Years passed, and now
was Vazgen Sargsian’s turn to say: “I played football with ‘handsome
Artur’ from Kanaker.”

At the parliamentary elections one of the candidates promised to name
a street after Artur Sarukhanian but he forgot the promise after
the lections. Soon after a new light beamed for her. When the son
of Artur’s brother was born everybody noticed that he is very like
his uncle. Every time his grandma tries to tell him off he says:
“Grandma, don’t you know that I am your Artur?”