GLENDALE—The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California has announced that they will be honoring former U.S. Secretary of Navy & U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul R. Ignatius at their 2nd Annual Gala. The highly anticipated event will be held on Sunday, December 8 at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

“Paul Ignatius’ rise from his hometown of Glendale to his service as U.S. Secretary of Navy is truly remarkable and his support for the Armenian American Museum project has inspired us all,” stated Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian. “We look forward to honoring Secretary Ignatius for his dedicated public service at the 2nd Annual Gala.”

Paul R. Ignatius, the son of Armenian parents who immigrated to the United States, was born in Glendale, California in 1920. Ignatius’ military career began in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served for eight years in the Administrations of President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson. He was appointed first as Assistant Secretary of the Army in 1961 and then as Undersecretary in 1964. In 1965, he was appointed Assistant Secretary of Defense (Installations and Logistics). In 1967, he was named Secretary of Navy and served in the position until 1969. In 2019, the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), its newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer named in honor of the former Secretary.

Ignatius became President of the Washington Post following his government service. He later joined the Air Transport Association and served as President for 15 years until his retirement in 1986. He is also the founder of the Harbridge House, Inc., a management consulting firm based in Massachusetts.

The Armenian American Museum recently launched its Square Foot Builders program, an initiative inspired by Ignatius’ generous contribution and words of encouragement in the early stages of the developing project.

Hundreds of supporters, community leaders, and public officials are expected to attend the 2nd Annual Armenian American Museum Gala on Sunday, December 8, 2019. The signature event of the year will celebrate and support the landmark project as it approaches its historic groundbreaking year.

Additional honorees and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks. The reservation deadline for sponsorships, program book ads, and tickets is November 8. For more information on the 2nd Annual Gala, visit the website or call 818.644.2073.

The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is a developing project in Glendale, California with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The museum will serve as a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

The governance of the museum is entrusted to ten Armenian American cultural, philanthropic, and religious non-profit institutions including the Armenian Catholic Eparchy, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian General Benevolent Union Western District, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Relief Society Western USA, Nor Or Charitable Foundation, Nor Serount Cultural Association, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.