I was only 18 years old when I had my first child, Karo. Mrs. Gohar Antonyan, told within the ” Immortal Victims of the Artsakh War” series of Iravaban.net.
“I knew that I had a strong son, but I did not know that he would devote himself to the motherland to such an extent. He was very smart as a child, but in his teenage years he was already lively, friendly, and dedicated. He studied at the Polytechnic College for two years, and then entered the university,” his mother said.
Karapet left his studies and was conscripted into the service. “He was drafted into the army with great love and disposition. He served in Jrakan, and stayed there forever. He kept saying, “Mom, I have to go to the service.” He was in a hurry in everything; as if he felt that he was going to the service and would not come back. He wanted to address everything: I am going to the service, let me do this and that. I used to say: Dear Karo, you will go and return, he used to say: Mom… and did not continue.”
Mrs. Gohar says that her son was very satisfied with his service, so much that he created a family from his friends there. In 2020, when the war unleashed by Azerbaijan began, Karapet’s parents did not hear from him. The son did not talk to his parents for 2 days.
“After 2 days there was a call. It was his friend Vardan, he said, “Aunt, we are alive, your son Karo is a legend, Karo saved us, we survived.” I asked why Karo didn’t call me, he said that he had not slept for three days, he just fell asleep, I just wanted to let you know that we are all alive. The brother didn’t believe, he said give the phone to him, after a while he called and said, “Mom, I’m alive.” I said, dear Karo, for the sake of Artyom, your younger brother, please return.” He said, “Mom, I’m sorry, but do you know how many brothers like Artyom need me here?” “He stayed there for those brothers,” the mother said.
Mrs. Gohar said that her son had led battles. After some time, Karapet Karapet was awarded the rank of officer.
On 5 October, he was awarded the First-Class Order of the Combat Cross. President Arayik Harutyunyan ordered him to come down and receive the Cross. Karapet’s answer to the President’s order was: “I’m sorry, but I will not leave my army for a piece of iron and come down, hold it, I shall come laterr.” The medal was handed over to the parents posthumously.
“Armenia undertakes to hand over the medal to my child, now it is Armenia’s turn, we are waiting. My son was the soldier, the officer who fought until the end at the cost of his life,” his mother said.
Karapet’s body was taken from the battlefield and Jrakan was handed over. “As soon as I entered Artsakh, I felt him, now the pain is doubled. I have not lost my faith that I will stand on that land again.”
Details in the video.
Hasmik Sargsyan
