Every nation has milestone moments in its history that safeguard its existence, freedom, and future. For us, that cornerstone is the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. June 26 is not just a date on the calendar; it is a day that beats with pride in the heart of every Azerbaijani.
The foundation of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces was laid during the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic era on June 26, 1918. On that very day, the first regular military unit—the Separate Azerbaijan Corps—was established. This was the greatest and most courageous step taken to protect our independence. This historic day was later officially declared a national holiday by a decree of National Leader Heydar Aliyev on May 22, 1998.
Today, our army stands among the strongest in the world, thanks to its modern equipment, discipline, and, above all, the unbreakable spirit of its soldiers. It is our heroes who give us this strength, who restored our territorial integrity, and who allow us to live with our heads held high.
If we feel safe in our homes and workplaces today, and if we can look to the future with hope, we owe it to our martyrs who sacrificed their lives. We pray for God’s mercy upon all our martyrs who reached the highest peak of honor for the sake of our motherland, and we bow before their cherished memory. We also wish recovery and long life from the Almighty to our veterans, who lost their health but wrote a saga with their bravery.
As the FChain family, we take immense pride in the strength of our army and express our deepest gratitude to every single soldier protecting our land.
