PHILADELPHIA, PA - On Saturday morning, October 14, my close buddy Norman Deirmenjian Miller called and invited me to his home. I thought he wanted to go to Atlantic City, but no, he said Garo Avesian was bringing Archbishop Barkev Mardirosian, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh, over for a visit.

What a break! I had recently read Dr. Jirair Libaridian's recent work, The Challenge of Statehood, Armenian Political Thinking Since Independence, and now I could ask questions about Artsakh (Karabagh).

When I was introduced to the Primate, I could tell that he is a pastor who can move his congregation out of the pews and complete his mission.

He is a dynamic leader.

Norman's son Bearg and daughter-in-law Annie arrived and invited us to lunch at the Radley Golf Club in the picturesque area of West Chester, Pennsylvania.

His Eminence blessed the food. Before he had a chance to finish his salmon, there was a flood of questions. His answers were straight to the point.

One of my questions was, "How many volunteers from the Diaspora came to Artsakh to fight against the Azeri forces?" His answer was, "About twenty-five."

He continued his comment that one of the soldiers from the Diaspora was Monte Melkonian who was commander in the region of Martuni in southeastern Artsakh (Karabagh). Then he made a startling revelation. When Monte received anti-tank weapons, he ordered his command by saying "we do not destroy tanks, we capture them."

All of us enjoyed the open discussion. Garo announced it was time to leave. I was sorry to see it end. We gave our thanks to Bearg and Annie for a delightful Saturday afternoon.


P.S. June 12, 1993 - Monte was informed by radio that his fighters had captured a T-72 tank in Merzuli. It was Monte's policy of personally inspecting all captured equipment. In close combat action there is a thin line between life and death. On their way, Monte and four comrades in the jeep came upon an enemy armored personnel carrier with a mounted cannon. A fire fight developed with hundreds of rounds fired at each other.

Monte Melkonian, born November 25, 1957, in Tulare County, California, was killed in action and was buried with full military honors at Yerablur cemetery, overlooking the Ararat plain, Republic of Armenia, June 19, 1993.