Friends of Monte Melkonian visited his grave earlier today at the Yerablur Military Cemetery in Yerevan to celebrate their comrade’s 53rd birthday. Monte, or Commander Avo as he was called in Artsakh, died on the battlefield on June 12, 1993. Ghazar Aroyan, from Masis, first met up with Monte in Shahumyan and fought under his command in Martuni starting in 1992. Ghazar always visits Yerablur on Monte’s birthday and the day of his passing.

"He was a very normal type of commander. If you saw the way he dressed, you wouldn’t say he was a commander. Monte dressed his troops the best. He just wore old clothes. He always was out in front, going into the most dangerous of spots. The rest of the men followed. Monte would get very concerned if just one of his men was hurt or wounded; even if was just a splinter in the finger," says Ghazar. Ghazar says that in Martuni, 1992, there were about 80-100 Armenian soldiers facing an Azerbaijani force of 3,000, replete with 20 tanks and rocket launchers.

"We basically were fighting a war at the time without weapons. But we put up a fierce resistance," he says. Under Monte’s command, not only did the Armenian freedom fighters counter-attack but they also got their hands on enemy weapons and equipment. Shahe Ajemyan, who took over the command of the "Crusaders" volunteer detachment after the death of Garo Kahkejian (also from the diaspora) in June 1993, says that he first met Monte in 1978, when they were fighting to defend Armenian neighbourhoods in Beirut.

"When we saw Monte for the first time in Beirut, we thought that he had come from America to live with us, to raise weapons with us, and to defend Armenians in Lebanon. He told us that he had taught himself to read and write Armenian. He said that he would place the alphabet in front of him and that it would just take a minute for him to look at each letter and learn it," says Shahe.

Alek Yenikomshyan, another long-time friend of Monte’s and Director of the "Monte Melkonian NGO" says that while the liberation of Shushi was an important milestone in the war, just a month later large tracts of Shahumyan and Martakert were lost to the enemy. He says that it was in these dire conditions that Monte assumed the defense of Martuni and that Armenian forces repelled all Azerbaijani attacks. This provided a vital boost of morale and confidence to the Armenians. Alek Yenikomshyan says that Monte’s presence is needed as much today as during the war.

Mr. Yenikomshyan says that Monte wasn’t only a soldier or commander but that he perceived the challenges facing Armenians in a much wider perspective; that he wanted to see justice prevail in Armenia and people live with dignity and respect.

"Disappointment and frustration were not a part of Monte’s inner being. In this sense, his presence today is extremely vital given that today, tragically, due to prevailing conditions, people have lost faith and hope. Monte, by the example he set, proves that one must never lose hope."

Alek says that while alive, Monte never sought the accolades of others. In fact, Monte would laugh at such things. Nevertheless, Monte has earned himself an honoured place in the annals of his people’s history. Before turning away to greet other friends who have come to pay their respects at Monte’s grave, Alek says, "Monte has no need for us to pay homage to him. What’s more important is that homage be paid to those still living."