Though the tree-planting season slows by June and July, summer remains a season of connection and reflection for Armenia Tree Project. It's when supporters, friends, and partners travel to Armenia, not just to see the country, but to witness the influence of the roots they’ve helped plant, both figuratively and literally.

This summer, most of our guests arrived from the United States, including many longtime supporters who’ve been involved with ATP through a variety of programs over the years. Among them was a profoundly meaningful and unexpected visitor.

One quiet afternoon, we received a call from a parent of Sose requesting a visit to the Sose and Allen Memorial Forest. Without hesitation, we welcomed them not only to the forest but also to our Mirak Nursery and the Ohanian Educational Center, both located in Armenia’s scenic Lori province. We were honored when they accepted.

The Sose and Allen Memorial Forest was established by ATP in 2014 in memory of two young Armenian-Americans, Sose and Allen, who made the bold decision to leave the comfort of life in the United States and move to Armenia. There, they dedicated themselves to helping build a better future in their ancestral homeland. Tragically, their lives were cut short in a devastating car accident.

Their close friend, Areg Maghakian, then ATP’s Yerevan Director, proposed planting a forest in their honor. What began as fragile saplings has, eleven years later, flourished into a vibrant 17-hectare forest of over 89,000 trees: pine, maple, oak, wild pear, and apple. It is now a living emblem of strength, resilience, and enduring love.

During the summer, this forest bursts with life: evergreens stand tall, wildflowers bloom in every shade, and the surrounding mountain views add to the serene beauty. This year marked the first time Sose’s father, Mr. Varand M. Thomassian and his partner, Mrs. Anahit, saw the forest in person.

As they approached the memorial plaque, Mr. Thomassian paused. Silence fell. He gently picked a purple wildflower, Sose’s favorite color, and held it carefully in his hand. Before they left, he asked Mrs. Anahit to tuck it safely into her bag. “I want to take this home,” he said quietly.

He turned to the forest rangers, many of whom were part of the original planting team and know every tree by heart. With visible emotion, he thanked them, especially Vahe, ATP’s head of forestry, and asked, “Please keep taking good care of it.”

Their journey continued to Margahovit, another ATP site they were visiting for the first time. Seeing the scale and quality of the work left them in awe. “No letter, no photo, no presentation could ever capture what we see here today,” Mr. Thomassian said. “This is simply beautiful.”

This is more than a story of remembrance. It’s about love, legacy, and connection to the land. The Sose and Allen Memorial Forest is not just a tribute, it is a living, growing symbol of hope. It embodies what it means to believe in a brighter future for Armenia… and to plant that future, one tree at a time.