APARAN, ARMENIA – Drastamat Kanayan, known as “Dro” or “Dashnak Dro” as he is remembered in revolutionary songs, was a leading member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. He was also an avenger, participant in Armenia’s liberation movement, general-commander during the the First Republic of Armenia, and its Minister of Defense.
He is considered one of the founders of the first republic of Armenia. During May 23-27 in 1918, Dro took command of the Battle of Aparan, which was the culmination of Drastamat Kanayan’s success. In those most crucial days for the Armenian people, he was able not only to stop the advance of the 13,000-strong Turkish army towards Yerevan, but also deal a crushing blow to the Turks, who fled the battlefield in panic.
On the occasion of May 28, a group of members of parliament from the “Armenia” Alliance, joined by Armenian national activists, visited Dro’s grave in Aparan.
Among the visitors were Dro’s grandson Philip Ganayan, Hampig Sassounian, and Raffi Titizian.
The members of parliament present were Arthur Khachatryan, Aghvan Vardanyan, Aram Vardevanyan, Arthur Sargsyan, Armenuhi Kiureghyan and Gegham Manukyan.
