ARMENIAN STUDENTS ORGANIZATION REFLECTS ON 1915 GENOCIDE, HOLDS CANDELIGHT VIGIL
Jess Sacco

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, MA
April 25 2008

PrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 Yesterday, as the evening
approached, students of the Armenian Students Organization (ASO)
gathered on the steps of the Student Union to recognize the 1915
Armenian Genocide in a commemorative candlelight vigil.

Each year, Armenians, as well as others in the community, come together
to pay their respect and remember those who were lost.

"The Armenian Genocide was conceived and carried out by the Ottoman
Empire from 1915 to 1923, resulting in the deportation of nearly
2,000,000 Armenians, of whom 1,500,000 men, women, and children
were killed, 500,000 survivors expelled from their homes, and which
succeeded in the elimination of the over 2,500-year presence of
Armenians in their historic homeland," according to the Armenian
National Committee of America.

April 24, 1915 signifies the day that the Ottoman Empire, under the
rule of Turkey, began the first genocide of the 20th century.

"We [Armenians] still believe the genocide is going on even though it
happened 93 years ago," said junior and vice president of the ASO,
Steve Keshishian. "The [Turkish] government denies it, so we can’t
even begin to move on because we’re still fighting for the world to
recognize that it happened."

As the ceremony continued, members of the ASO read stories of those
who survived the genocide, as well as giving a brief history of the
event. Students welcomed those who had gathered to listen to light
a candle, symbolizing the commemoration of the genocide.

"It’s important to remember the past," said freshman and member
Charles Beyrouthy. "The past influences the future, and it influences
political leaders and leaders who are in high stature. [The event]
is a testament to those who were victimized in such a crime."

Another goal of yesterday’s event was for people to acknowledge and
appreciate their Armenian ancestors and backgrounds.

"Nobody knows Armenia was the first Christian Nation, that we have
a very ancient culture," said Keshishian. "We commemorate this every
year on this day all around the world, [taking] a moment of our lives
to remember those who passed away and get word out about our legacy."

"My parents taught me to love and respect my heritage," said
Beyrouthy. "I think it’s a heritage that is very rich in culture and
in general. It is a big part of my life."

The ASO, a new group on campus, plans to continue the event in the
future and has hopes of advertising it more, and doing things on a
much bigger level.

"Whether we had two people or 200 people [today], this was something
that was going to be going on in my head. I did what I wanted to do,
make my peace and move on with it," said Keshishian.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress