ANCESTOR SURVIVED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Madison.com
news/opinion/mailbag/article_a435a98a-592b-11df-b7 9d-001cc4c002e0.html
May 6 2010

Regarding the Journal’s April 25 coverage of the 95th anniversary
of the Armenian genocide, I am the father of two beautiful daughters
because their great-grandmother was able to escape from the Ottoman
Empire.

Surpouhi Torosian — Grandma Suzi — escaped from Antioch and landed in
South Milwaukee, which had a sizable Armenian community. Grandma Suzi
carved out a wonderful life here. She married and had four daughters,
one of whom had a daughter who became my wife 40 years ago.

The Armenian community in the Ottoman Empire was industrious, with
people who owned business, factories and homes and in general were
very successful and, of course, Christian. Therein is the origin of
the hate.

Most Armenians were better off than the Muslims with whom they lived.

In April of 1915, when World War I was raging, the mass murders
started. It’s hard to tell the role of the Ottoman central government,
but military units participated. The government gave ownership of
businesses and homes to local Muslims since the lawful owners had
been murdered.

I have been at countless gatherings of Armenians over the years and
have never heard "get even" conversations. They have gotten on with
their lives. No one has ever been held accountable, nor the nation
responsible.