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Author, Hasmik Hakobyan

Captain Armenak Urfanyan sacrificed the most precious thing for his homeland_ his life. He fought and fell as a real hero.

Junior son of the Urfanyan family Armenak clearly made up his mind still as a child to pursue a military career and to serve his fatherland selflessly. And he did so. Urfanyan’s fellow soldiers state that he completely devoted himself to the military service, servicemen and his fatherland.

Today, 28 January, is the birthday of fallen hero of the April war, Captain Armenak Urfanyan. He would turn 27 today.
“My Armen was different_ my smart, kind Armen,” during the interview by the correspondent of Panorama.am he hero’s mother Hamest Nersisyan says finding it difficult to speak about her patriotic, friendly, sociable son.

Armenak Urfanyan was born in Nor Nork Maternity Hospital of Yerevan in 1990. His mother quite often remembers the day her first child was born bringing light and warmth to their family.

They always celebrated his birthday, Armenak liked that day and his favorite gift was toy weapons. His love towards the weapons persisted in the adult years.

Tears, pain and pride come together as Hamest tried to tell how they used to celebrate the birthdays of the hero of our times, however she did not tell much, although she had a lot to say. She always keeps her son in her mind trying not to miss a detail and to save every episode in her hearth and memory.

Armenak Urfanyan was just two years older from the established Armenian Army and January 28 was a double celebration for him. In the words of Mrs. Hamest as a student Armenak used to celebrate his birthday with his fellow students, the mother prepared everything and sent them to her son and his relatives celebrated the day at home.

Armenak’s mother will never forget January 28 of 2016. That day her son was at home. “I am very satisfied with my life,” Armenak told his mother on that day and Mrs. Hamest argued saying that he did not see good things in the frontline. “I will never forget that day. My son was very happy with his beloved next to him, having lots of dreams and expectations in mind. Today I want to remember him in that way…” the captain’s mother says.

Mrs. Hamest also recalled her birthday when his son always managed to call and congratulate her despite his heavy workload. His call was the most expected one for the mother. “There were times when he called me at 12 p.m., sometimes the call would come later and I was waiting for it with each passing moment. Then there would come the long-awaited call with his voice saying “mommy, happy birthday.” And then the world was mine. Last year he send money from Martakert through his friend telling me to buy something for me,” Urfanyan’s mother tells trying to control her excitement.

While still studying at the 8-9 grade he made up his mind to become a military. He began practicing a sport. At the age of 15 Urfanyan was already a triple champion of Taekwondo. In order to reach his goals he began studying at Military Institute after Vazgen Sargsyan. He began serving in the RA Armed Forces since 2007. At the age of 26 he was already a captain and unit commander in the frontline. “Mommy, I am not your son already, I am the son of the army,” he used to say to his mother and she seemed to already accept the fact that Armenak was not only her son.

Armenak Urfanyan still had many dreams, however April 2 turned out to be fatal for him as well. Overnight 1-2 April, in the military post located near Martakert, that had significant strategic importance, Captain Urfanyan, together with his fellow soldiers fought back against the Azerbaijani special forces for hours withstanding the strikes of the heavy armored vehicles. 4 out of 7 heroes fell during the unequal fight_ Armenak Urfanyan, Kyaram Sloyan, Robert Abajyan and Andranik Zohrabyan.

27 years old…perfect age for loving, creating, living a full life, forming a family…alas everything can change in a moment and your beloved son remains at the same age forever. Armenak stayed 28 years old forever sacrificing his life for his fatherland.

Glory to you, hero Armenak Urfanyan.