ARMENIA CELEBRATES VE-DAY
ITAR-TASS, Russia
May 9 2007
YEREVAN, May 9 (Itar-Tass) — Armenia is celebrating the 62nd
anniversary of the victory over nazi Germany in World War II.
Hundreds of people with flowers and wreaths came to Yerevan’s Victory
Park to the Eternal Flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisyan and Defence Minister Mikhail Arutyunyan
attended the ceremony.
The remains of the Unknown Soldier were brought to the tomb from
the mass grave near the city of Malgobek, Chechen-Ingush Republic,
and reburied on May 9, 1970. The 89th Armenian Infantry Division had
its baptism of fire near Malgobek on October 17, 1942 and liberated
the city on January 1, 1943.
Wreath-laying ceremonies took place in all cities, towns, settlements,
and villages where war memorials are across the country.
Tens of thousands of people from Armenia were sent to the frontline
in the first days of the war. A total of 450,000 people from Armenian
fought in the war, and over 200,000 died.
President Robert Kocharyan paid tribute to his fellow citizens who
had fought in World War II.
"Numerous sons of the Armenian people made their significant
contribution" to the victory in the 1941-1945 Great Patriotic War,
Kocharyan said.
"The end of World War II and the establishment of peace was crucial
for Armenia, as this created new broader opportunities for prosperity
and multifaceted development of our republic," he said.
One hundred and three people from Armenia were awarded the title of
Hero of the Soviet Union. Legendary flier Nelson Stepanyan and Soviet
Marshal Ivan Bagramyan received it twice.
About 100,000 Armenians abroad participated in the Resistance Movement
and fought in allied armies.