Monument to Monte Melkonian to be erected in Fresno

ArmInfo.  The groundbreaking ceremony for a monument to Armenian national hero Monte Melkonian  (Avo) took place at the Ararat Armenian Cemetery in Fresno.

According to a report received by ArmInfo from the Armenian-American  Information Center (AAIC), prominent representatives of the Armenian  community in Fresno, members of Armenian organizations in the United  States, and numerous compatriots participated in the event.

"Armenians of different generations gathered at the site where a  monument to one of the most outstanding military leaders of the  Artsakh Liberation War will soon be erected. The idea, put forward by  physician and public figure Karo Khachikyan, quickly became a public  cause. Many Fresno Armenians joined the initiative, each with their  own abilities. Today, the construction of the monument is already a  collective community effort," the statement reads.

It is noted that the granite image of Monte Melkonian will stand next  to the monument to Soghomon Tehlirian.

The stone-like pedestal will remind visitors of their homeland, and  inscriptions in Armenian and English will introduce visitors to Monte  Melkonian's life and military career.

Monte participated in defensive and liberation battles in virtually  all regions of the NKR, earning the love and respect of the people. A  lieutenant colonel in the NKR armed forces, Monte Melkonian died on  June 12, 1993, in the village of Marzil.

A candidate of historical sciences and speaker of seven languages,  Melkonyan was posthumously awarded the NKR's highest title, "Hero of  Artsakh," for his exceptional service in organizing the defense of  the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, and for his courage and personal  bravery. He was also awarded the Order of the Golden Eagle, the  National Hero of Armenia (1996), and the Order of the Martakan Khach  (1st Class).  He is buried in the Yerablur Heroes' Cemetery in  Yerevan.