Ahmad Keshvari

(July 1953 / December 1980)

In July 1953 a boy was born in a middle-class family in Firooz-Kooh city, north of Iran. He was named Ahmad. He spent his primary school and the first three years of his high school in “Kiakla” and “Sar pol talar” and then in the final three years he studied in “Qanad” high school in Baabol.

His father was a brave man and always resisted against cruelty. About his bravery it is enough to say that although being in charge of gendarmerie in a city north of Iran, he contended against Shah"s regime and finally he had to resign and get busy in farming. His mother was a believer, devoted woman. It is said that in her son"s burial, she hanged Iran flag which she had sewed herself, above his tomb and cried out “bravo my son, bravo”.

Ahmad was an honor student and had extraordinary talent during his education and he was very interested in sports and art. He always participated in art competitions and once he got the first place in graphic. He had gained great honors in wrestling too. As a youth, because of his strong belief to Islam he did a lot of religious activities.

He believed that a man should not be an identity certification Muslim, but he should follow Islam rules. Besides studying his textbooks, Keshvari had great interest to religious and politic books. Also he studied about world politic situation.

At the last year of his high school he started politic activities with the company of two of his friends and he divulged the quiddity of monarch government by drawing designs and political pictures. He obtained his diploma and became ready to enter university but because of poverty and heavy charge of university, he failed.

Keshvari entered army in 1351 (1972). During the instruction period, he influenced foreign professors by his behaviors. Because he had great intelligence and extraordinary talent he could finish learning Pilot age chopper terms of Cobra and Ranger jet successfully.

His worships and meditation was wonderful and magnificent. At nights he read the Qur’an and reinforced his relationship with his God.

Living without any luxe and avoiding  pomp, humility and kindness was his characteristics. Yet he was an enemy for injustice and he didn"t yield to cruelty. He liked clergymen and always regretted why he was not a clergyman. He had told frequently: "I wish I were a clergyman, therefore I could spread my belief better." Reserving and studying religious, political and illustrative books in the army of that era were forbidden, but Ahmad kept these books and in suitable occasions studied them; because of that he was investigated and threatened many time.

He struggledd a lot for promoting munificence sense among his colleagues. When he started his job in Kermanshah, after knowing the poor and needy people in the city, he organized a Community Fund with the help of some of his colleagues and the assistance of the  benevolent and beneficent of Aviation Forces.

Bbefore and after the revolution, Keshvari acted as a devotee for God"s sake and  for the promotion of Islam and establishment of the Islamic dominion.He attended in all revolution scenes beside the national strong movements. He published Imam Khomeini’s manifestos hiddenly. He had been beaten for defense of Imam’s ideals many times, but talked about them proudly and said: “This truncheon which I was beaten was sweet because it was for the sake of God. I am happy because I can help our revolution; this is a success and bliss from God.”

Keshvari and some of his friends designed a coup during the Bakhtiar premiership era. He took that plan to Ayatollah Pasandideh, Imam Khomeini’s brother. After that, it was supposed to be sent to Imam Khomeini and if he agreed, the plan would be performed. But fortunately the Islamic revolution  got the power on February 11th 1979  by Imam’s wisdom and the coup  plan didn’t need to be performed.

When the hubbub of Kordestan started, Keshvari was so sad and  mournful.  Major General martyr “Fallahi” said that “one night I needed a volunteer for a difficult mission in Kordestan. My speech not yet finished, someone stepped out of the row and said ”I’m ready.", he was Keshvari.”

He showed a great courage and merit during the war period. One time although he had been wounded seriously and his chopper damaged, he could reach his goal by skill and wisdom.

Shiroudi once said about Keshvari, “Ahmad was my teacher. When American Saddam raided, Ahmad had got ready for his last surgery in order to take the quiver out of his breast, but after hearing the news of Saddam overrun, he forgot everything about  the surgery and went back  to a military journey. He had been told that he could go after his surgery, but his answer was: “When Islam is in danger, I don’t want this breast.”

He went to the fronts despite his wounds. He fought with enemy so bravely that the west deserts of Iran turned to a  cemetery for the panzer and foemen.

And finally On December 6th 1980, after returning from a triumphus mission, he was attacked by Iraqi Ba"athist forces in Ilam [1]. His helicopter was burning by rocket shots. He flew it to Iran"s positions and then fell down. His sacred body was transferred to Tehran and buried in Behest Zahra[2].