LOWELL OBSERVES ANC GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
By Tom Vartabedian

Lowell Sun
May 11, 2010 Tuesday
Massachusetts

Special to The Sun

LOWELL — "Let our united voices be heard!"

Such was the theme of Armenian genocide observances conducted by the
Armenian National Committee of the Merrimack Valley.

The pan-Armenian event on April 24 honored the memory of 1.5 million
victims who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Turks during the
first genocide of the 20th century.

Speaker Dro Kanayan called upon genocidal education in our public
schools as being pivotal in securing proper recognition.

"A crime ignored is a crime encouraged," said the grandson of a famed
revolutionary general by the same name. "International recognition
of the genocide allows people to have closure on events that shaped
their lives and begin the healing process."

Kanayan outlined visits made to six area high schools in addressing
students on the Armenian genocide, many of whom have received only
a smattering of knowledge.

The Armenian Genocide Education Committee of the Merrimack Valley
has made vast inroads toward adopting a curriculum under the banner
of Facing History and Ourselves. In most every case, schools have
requested a follow-up panel discussion with an Armenian speaker
joined by a Holocaust survivor, as well as guests from Cambodia and
Rwanda. Those plans are in the works.

"By educating our students today, hopefully they will be able to
set policies and structure to deal with countries like Turkey that
have committed genocide," he added. "Perhaps someday, Turkey will be
transformed and restore the many churches, heritage and patrimony of
Armenians who lived on their historic lands."

The Lowell commemoration featured young speakers, politicians, a
downtown march led by the color guard from the Lowell Armenian-American
Veterans, a proclamation and a flag-raising ceremony.

Members of the Sam Manoian Post led an entourage of 100 participants,
including children holding banners.

Mayor James Milinazzo presented a proclamation, reflecting upon
the immigrants of his city who fled persecution and settled in
the district, enriching the American heritage with their culture,
education, arts and sciences.

"The Armenian community became an asset to the growth of the Lowell
economic and social fabric through hard work and strong family values,"
he told the crowd. "Their devotion to a free society, healthy religious
values and strong civic pride makes them a people to be admired."

City messages were also rendered by former mayors Eileen Donoghue,
Rita Mercier and Bud Caulfield, each of whom showered considerable
praise upon the burgeoning Armenian community.

Sevan Dulgarian, a member of the Boston AYF, presented a school essay
she had written on her family’s Armenian history. The freshman’s
essay gained considerable merit among students and faculty at Bedford
High School.

Katie Berberian, a member of the Sts. Vartanantz Church ACYOA, also
represented her youth organization with diligence.

"It makes me a stronger, more caring person knowing that my
great-grandparents had to endure such conditions," she said. "I am
living proof that the Ottoman Turks were not successful with their
evil plan. We need to keep our homeland close to our hearts by being
involved with the Armenian community in the hope that the Armenian
genocide will be acknowledged by the United States and other countries
who are in denial."

Prayers were offered by the Rev. Khachatur Kesablyan, pastor,
Sts. Vartanantz Church; Rev. Karekin Bedourian, a newly-ordained
priest from Watertown; and Rev. Dr. Ara Heghinian, pastor, Ararat
Congregational Church, Salem, N.H.

Other groups taking part were the North Andover AYF, ARS chapters
of Lowell and Merrimack Valley, Lowell ARF, Church at Hye Point,
St. Gregory Church of North Andover, and Arakadz Lodge, Knights
of Vartan.

A reception followed inside City Hall where Ara Jeknavorian and Harry
Alexanian of the Ani Ensemble performed music.

ANC members were responsible for getting sizable advertisements
published in The Sun, Lawrence Eagle-Tribune and Nashua Telegraph
calling for an end to Turkey’s gag rule on the United States and a
push toward passage of House Resolution 252.

Funding for the $3,500 project was provided through community
solicitations.