On the 21st of September, 2009, for the RA Independence Day, the RA President Serzh Sargsyan, the NKR President Bako Sahakyan, President of the RA National Assembly Hovik Abrahamyan, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, Minister of Defence Seyran Ohanyan, high ranked officers of the RA Armed Forces and other officials visited “Erablur” pantheon. They put flowers on the memorial of Artsakh war victims, on the tombs of Sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan and Andranik Ozanyan. “On the day of Independence first of all those must be congratulated who have stood up for our most dear Independence, and all those, due to whose lives our people live in peace today. We should also be responsible for everyone to assist the preservation of all of these, according to his abilities and strengths”, said the Minister of Defence Seyran Ohanyan.

On the 21st of September, 2009, for the RA Independence Day, an award giving ceremony took place in the RA MoD administrative complex. The Minister of Defence Seyran Ohanyan, Chief of the RA AF GS Colonel-General Yuri Khachaturov and other high ranked officers of the Armed Forces were present at the ceremony. A number of militants of the National Army were awarded with state and departmental medals and rewards. On the same day there was another award giving ceremony at the residence of the RA President. By the decree of President Serzh Sargsyan, a number of representatives of Armenia and the Diaspora from the spheres of education, culture, science, journalism, aviation, sport, and militants of structures experiencing authority were awarded with RA orders and medals, also high military ranks were conferred. In this regard, in the speech of congratulation of the RA President it’s stated, “Without exaggeration one can say that you and people like you are the strength of every country, the guarantee and support for ascent. Our aspiration and goal is for every citizen of Armenia in his place and in his work to demonstrate the same qualities and devotion as you did in your sphere. I am sure, that in this case our country will move forward with big steps”. At the end of the meeting the President once again congratulated those present for receiving high ranks and rewards, wished them happiness, success and new achievements.