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Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent birthday greetings to a 104-year-old Armenian World War II veteran. The greetings were delivered by staff of the Russian Embassy to Mekhak Avetisyan, the highly decorated veteran who fought with Soviet forces against Nazi Germany.
Avetisyan currently resides in the village of Sarukhan in Gegharkunik province.
The veteran thanked the Russian President and embassy staffers for their gesture of respect and appreciation, the local school principal Hayk Mudoyan told Armenpress.
During the years of WWII, Mekhak Avetisyan defended Pskov and fought near Staraya Russa as part of the 242nd Separate Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Later, as part of the 2nd Baltic Front, he participated in the liberation of Latvia. In August–September 1945, he took part in the Soviet operations in Northeast China.
He was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class, the Order of the Red Star, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and numerous medals.
Mekhak Avetisyan was demobilized in December 1945 and, from 1946, began his career in education. He taught for one year at a school in Gegharkunik, and from the following year until 2005, he taught at Sarukhan Secondary School No. 1. From 1975 to 1987, he served as the school’s principal.
After retiring, he wrote and published books dedicated to his homeland. He had three children, 27 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“At nearly 100 years of age, he authored the book ‘The Heroic Son of Sarukhan’, which tells the story of his grandson, Hakob Harutyunyan, who died heroically in the last Karabakh war—a brief but immortal life. Mekhak Avetisyan’s life truly resembles a legend. Even at this age, he continues to live with concern for his homeland and community, inspiring optimism in others. Recently, our school’s teaching staff welcomed Mekhak Avetisyan with great affection, and the meeting turned into a long-awaited and magnificent event, an unforgettable lesson in gratitude,” Hayk Mudoyan said.