BEIRUT (Aztag)–Ara Kelejian–Vatche Daghlian–Simon Yahniyan–Setrag Adjemian–and Sarkis Aprahamian: five young men–the children of willpower and victory–who turned the notions of struggle and sacrifice into reality–who forfeited their lives for their nation and homeland.
The memory of the Lisbon 5 was honored at the Armenian national cemetery in Bourdj Hammoud–Lebanon–for the 21st consecutive year–on Monday–July 26.
Members of the ARF Youth Organization of Lebanon (LEM) and Badanegan organizations–along with other Armenian youth–placed flowers and candles on the graves of the five martyrs–bowing before their inextinguishable memories.
After the ceremony for the repose of souls (hokehankisd)–musician Viken Keshishian played the Armenian shvi alongside the graves of the five young men.
The keynote speaker–Krist Libarian–stressed in his opening sentence–"Ara–Simon–Setrag–Vatche–and Sako are still alive; at this moment they march among us–through the candlelight and the scent of incense; they continue their work both in heaven and on earth–they work both with us and with the ancient gods of the Armenia’s–and they await our participation in the total liberation of our homeland."
Terming their martyrdom an act that was carried out to prove the resolve of the Armenian people–Libarian affirmed that they completely succeeded–having rejected glory and honors–injustice–and assimilation; they detonated their bomb of rejection–which echoes to this day in the ears of Armenia’s throughout the world.
"Twenty-one years ago–through the operation they carried out–those five members of LEM placed their distinctive imprint on the glorious pages of the Armenian national-liberation struggle," Libarian said. "They understood self-sacrifice for the sake of national interests and goals," he stressed.
The speaker extolled the Lisbon 5’s dedication to Hai Tahd–the quest for uniting Armenian lands and achieving the national rights of Armenia’s–for which the five young men were willing to shed their own blood.
"Twenty-one years later–the sounds of explosion can be heard within the new generation; today–we renew our oath to take the path that has led to Sardarabad–Lisbon–and Shoushi and will undoubtedly lead to greater victories–so long as our nation gives birth to heroes and stands up for its national Cause," Libarian concluded.