"Past" daily writes: "Hakobs was a mischievous, lively, active child. He wanted to stand out, to be in the center of attention. He was quick to get along with any person," said Mrs. Gayane, Hakob's mother, in a conversation with "Pasti". Talking about his school years, she mentions that her son loved school. "In the beginning, the progress was not great. The teachers said that he is very capable, but not hardworking. They greatly appreciated Jacob's character and character. When he grew older, matured, he began to study, progressed in his studies. He had a love for sports, physical education held a special place for him." After finishing the ninth grade, Hakob entered the Martuni College and studied as an auto mechanic.
"He loved his profession very much. He finished college, got his diploma and was drafted into the army. After returning from the army, he thought about opening a car repair shop, he loved his profession. On the other hand, he also thought about getting higher education. Future plans included continuing studies at the State Institute of Physical Culture and Sports." The mother now analyzes her son's behavior even before he is drafted into the army. "Hakob generally liked to help everyone, reach out, he was willing, he had a kind heart. He tried to do a good deed for everyone, to be useful. I told him, "Dear boy, you are getting tired, soon you will be drafted into the army, relax." After all, I am a mother, I was worried about her. But Hakobs responded. "Mom, let me be remembered well." He was a hard worker, he could not sit idle. He also liked to make surprises for people to make them feel good."
2019 On January 17, Hakob is drafted into mandatory military service. In the first months, he served in the training military unit of Armavir, then he was transferred to the Khndzoresk military unit. "His service went very well. Two brothers served in the same military unit. My eldest was discharged, and Jacob continued his service. Serving in the army was very important to him. He always said that the boy should serve. He called, "Mom, you can't even imagine how much the army has given us, how much we have changed." If only there wasn't that ill-fated war... We didn't feel like we had a servant in the army, he didn't bother us, he never complained. He also did not want anyone to suddenly intercede for him, he wanted to do everything on his own, to be respected by his fellow soldiers and commanding staff. That's how it happened." During his service, Hakob was awarded the "Brave Warrior" and "Army Excellence" badges. 2020 On September 27, the war began: "On the very first day of the war, they were taken to the battlefield, from the very first day they were in Jarakan. He only told his older brother and uncle that it was a war and they were being taken away. Then we found out. Their equipment broke down on the way. When he called, he spoke in such a way that I didn't know where he was, what he was doing, but I already knew everything. I said: Dear Hakob, I hope you don't repair that equipment and don't go to war. He responded. "Mom, don't say something like that next time, the boys need our help, we must definitely reach them." When they reached the place, we talked, he said everything is normal, we don't even understand why they brought us here. He assured us that there are no military operations, everything is peaceful, so that we should not worry. But from September 27 to the day of his death, October 7, he participated in that unjust war in Jraka. He was a senior mechanic of an infantry fighting vehicle." Ms. Gayane recalls that her son's equipment was hit for the first time on September 30, the crew survived. He gave all his documents to his friends. "I promise you, if I don't come back, you will tell my mom and dad that I love them very much, but the homeland is sweeter for me." His commander said: I did not take anyone to the battlefield by force, Hakob said: we must go. They went into battle, completed the task before them, but on their way back they were hit by ATS." Hakob was killed on October 7, he "returned" home on October 29. "Hakob always called us, he called us three times on the day of his death. Before these incidents, my tiger had died, October 7 was his birthday, we were going to the cemetery, Hakobs called to ask if you would smoke incense for me. Then we came home, he called again, father said, "Dear Hakob, how are you?" is near you, I want to come. My son responded that there is no need for it, everything is normal. The same evening, he called again: we are in Kubatlu, it is not convenient now, my phone has no charge, I will call in the morning. There were voices, when we asked what it was, he didn't answer, he turned off the phone. At that time, it was peaceful in Kubatlu, and to reassure us, Jacobs said he was there. But it was actually in the Water. We were restless on the morning of October 8. We always waited for the first one to call. But we couldn't stand it that day, we kept calling him, he didn't answer. We called the numbers he had called us earlier, but they said they didn't know such a person. Some doubts arose. Then we called his commander, my husband introduced himself, he said that we have not heard from the child, after a few seconds he replied: I am sorry, the child is not there either." The commander informed Hakob's family of his death. He kept in touch with the parents until they found their son. "It was one year since Hakob's death, his commander came to our house from Artsakh and said: "Sogho was such a soldier for me that if I didn't visit his grave, it would be a great pain for me." My son was called "Sogho" in the military unit, they shortened his surname and called him that. Jacob is one of three boys in the house. Now family members are each other's strength to stand firmly on their feet. "My son fought for his homeland. He was sure that the land he and his boys defended will remain standing, will continue to be ours, the land for which they shed blood. My son did not leave the battlefield, he could have saved his life, but he didn't. I am proud to have such a son, but of course it is unspeakably painful for us that Jacobs is not with us. Perhaps it is a relief that we were able to lay our son to rest and we feel calm every time we visit him." H. C. - Hakob Soghoyan was posthumously awarded the "Combat Service" medal. He was buried in his native Dzoragigh cemetery in Gegharkunik marz.
Lusine Arakelyan
