Within the framework of “The scene I will never forget” students are required to choose scenes, moments and situations that had a great impression on them and made them change her worldviews.

Taking into account the project’s principles, I am going to present to the public the scene that I will never forget.

The story begins in Arates, in the school center of the “Mkhitar Sebastatsi” educational complex outside the city and located in Vayots dzor province, where students spend their holidays throughout the year. To understand what happens next, I should mention that the camp of our 11th graders was of a military-sports nature, that is, our goal there was to deepen and improve our military knowledge.

Our shift was at the end of August, that is, there were only a week or two left before the start of the new school year.
So, we arrived in Arates, settled in, discussed the agenda of our four-day camp and started our work.
In order not to burden the reader, I will simply tell you about our night shift. I should add that one of the main exercises of the military-sports camp is night duty, which develops the student’s alertness, attentiveness, sobriety and orientation. Our task was to follow the normal course of the camp’s activities.

To imagine the location, I should note that the village of Arates is located at a fairly high altitude, more precisely at an altitude of 2000 meters, surrounded by huge mountains and rocks, dense trees and wonderful nature. The river of the same name flows nearby, in short, everything is provided for the harmony and tranquility of the soul. We agreed in advance that our team would be on duty from 4-6 at night, so we went to bed early.

This is where the miracle begins.
4 o’clock is considered the most difficult time to stay awake, as the body is already dying, which is why many trainees fall asleep at their posts during duty. I, being familiar with the nuances of service (I have participated in many such camps, particularly within the framework of “Young Yerkrapah”), was able to control myself and stay awake.

The first hour passed interestingly, but a bit tense, as sounds were constantly heard from the forest, but nothing happened.

At the beginning of Arates, there is a hill, which, by climbing it, people get the opportunity to enjoy the nature that opens up before them. The Armenian tricolor is also placed on that hill.
I did not know in advance when the light rises, but I had heard many times that a wonderful view opens up as soon as it rises.
In any case, let us record that it was quite cold, and the guards were well dressed warmly. A pleasant, but sharp morning wind was blowing.

Around 5:30 in the morning, the light began to dawn, and I decided that I would continue my duty on the hill. Well, during such patriotic events, it is customary to listen to patriotic songs, and I, remaining true to my principles, was listening to the song “Yeraz Im Yerkir Hayreni”. To understand, it is a very touching song, close to the heart of every Armenian, dedicated to his beloved homeland. Each word is a whole world that describes the deep faith, love and devotion to the homeland and its future, the willingness to devote his life for it.

So, I sat on the hill, automatic rifle in hand, Armenian tricolor by my side, the song playing, the awakening nature around me, the gurgling river. And the morning opens, the light penetrates the world.

It was an indescribably beautiful, wonderful, divine scene that made me move. To see the homeland, the distant lands under that song was a longing for me, a dream of years, a desire of the soul. And imagine that feeling that you, a young soldier who will soon go to serve, realize in yourself the significance and value of the homeland, in those few moments you are able to transform your opinion and behavior towards your country, your people.

Looking at that scene, I involuntarily imagined the front line, the heroic soldiers who were fighting tirelessly for the independence of our country, were wounded, were killed. People who worked and toiled day and night to create good for the people and the country.

And that feeling filled my heart, and I fell into the arms of my thoughts.
That wonderful scene lasted only 5 minutes, but those five minutes seemed like eternity to me. I imagined how important the love and devotion of each of us to our country is. That sharp wind that gradually turned into a gentle one, the gurgling river that once cried out, then stopped, the mountains next to me, which have stood mighty for centuries and greet everyone who passes by, and of course I, a creature of nature, sitting, overwhelmed with a feeling of powerlessness towards all of that, enjoying it all, feeling that I see paradise, God’s gift to our nation, God’s good morning.

It was difficult to share that impression, but I tried, and now I will also try to recreate that image to give a more accurate picture.