Spirit and Power on Display at Times Square Commemoration

Calling attention to the documentation of the Armenian Genocide by eyewitnesses, Menendez said U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Henry Morgenthau observed the atrocities of the Young Turk Government in 1915 and said they “signed a death warrant to a whole race and made no attempt to conceal it.”

Reflecting on Morgenthau’s words, Menendez urged politicians today to take the same position and “have an honest accounting of human rights abuses and ethnic cleaning because we cannot turn our backs on the victims of the Armenian Genocide.”

Co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), applauded the “persistent and vigilant” efforts of the Armenian-American community.

“I’m so pleased to see the young people here today, the next generation who will further the Armenian cause,” said Pallone. He highlighted current issues facing Armenia, from the ongoing Azeri-Artsakh conflict to the exodus of Armenians from Aleppo, Syria, once an important Diasporan center.

“We want to work together to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Armenia,” said Pallone. “We’ll continue until the US recognizes the Armenian Genocide.”

A member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) applauded the Armenian community on its rich legacy as the first Christian nation in the world.

“I’m proud to stand with you as we remember the inhumanity of the Armenian Genocide,” said Maloney, who has co-sponsored Armenian Genocide recognition legislation. “We have to teach our children that genocide doesn’t go unpunished and I will not stop fighting for the recognition you rightfully deserve.”

Los Angeles-based attorney Mark Geragos encouraged exercising First Amendment rights in New York, “while your brethren in Armenia are doing the same.”

Geragos reminded the audience that President Reagan recognized the Armenian Genocide during his presidential term in 1981, and since then the Turkish lobby has spent millions of dollars so the U.S. not to acknowledge it again.

“We’re going forward with our mission,” said Geragos, who successfully pursued a class action suit against New York Life Insurance for unpaid insurance policies to survivors of the Armenian Genocide. “Now it’s about restitution, not recognition.”

Representing the educational non-profit organization Facing History and Ourselves, senior program associate David Schwartz said the core mission of Facing History & Ourselves is to empower teachers and students to learn history in more critical terms, offering ample resources to instructors about how students should study the Armenian Genocide and the subsequent topics of genocide prevention, justice, international law and human rights.

Taking center stage was singer Berberian, who moved the thousands through his rendition of Gomidas’ Horovel, his uplifting new single, Hayer Jan and the patriotic Kedashen, alongside members of his band, pianist Paul Malakhanian and duduk player Vagho.

Grand Commander and Matron of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, Dr. Gary Zamanigian and Diana Tookmanian, respectively, stressed the importance of genocide commemoration in order to “pass on the Christian faith and tragic history and to make our voices heard until justice is served.” The Knights and Daughters of Vartan have sponsored the Times Square Armenian Genocide Commemoration since 1985. This year the event was chaired under the tutelage chairmen Hirant Gulian, Tigran Sahakyan and Ari Minnetyan.

In his powerful invocation, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, marked the day as one of “solemn remembrance as we raise our voices for truth, justice, recognition and reparations.”

He spoke of the destruction of the Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, a failed attempt to exterminate a people.

“The world thought this was the end of Armenians and of Armenia,” said Choloyan. “But a nation that does not want to die will not die.”

He praised the strong faith of Armenians who “picked up the remnants of a scattered nation, creating a resurrection of the spirit that survived the genocide.”

In his benediction, Very Rev. Mesrop Parsamyan, director of ministries at the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), said the Armenians remain “strong and defiant in the face of denial,” and gave thanks to the opportunities America provided for survivors.

He remembered the Armenian Genocide victims as “holy saints, who teach us the power of faith and the indestructible quality of the spirit.”

Parsamyan encouraged the descendants of survivors to carry on the torch and follow the example of the faithful martyrs.

Bryan Ardouny, executive director of the Armenian Assembly of America, spoke of recognizing the past and also remaining aware of the current issues that face Armenia and Artsakh.

“April is not just a historical event where the very existence of the Armenian people was threatened 103 years ago,” said Ardouny. “It was only two years ago this month that Azerbaijan launched a brutal attack against Artsakh and Armenia, killing innocent civilians.”

He encouraged unification among Armenians to “pay tribute to the martyrs and renew our commitment to their legacy and the hope of a bright future for all Armenians.”

International jazz singer Marine Hakobyan performed Karabakh Horovel and God Bless America during the program.

The results of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan annual Armenian Genocide Essay Contest were announced: first-place, Gregory Chamessian, Tappan Zee High School, New York; second-place, Zhanna Astvatsatrian, Hambardzum Galstyan School, Yerevan, Armenia; third-place Haykanoush Kirakosyan, Yerevan Brusov State University, Yerevan, Armenia.

Gregory Chamessian appeared on stage to receive his prize while an excerpt of his essay was read.

Four special “Knights & Daughters of Vartan” medals were distributed during the commemoration to Artsakh War Hero Major Sargis Stepanyan, Elie Berberian, Marine Hakobyan, and Maria Sahakyan.

Also recognized was Don Boyajian, who is running for Congress from the state of New York and Armenian Genocide survivor Arslan Seraydarian, 100, of Pennsylvania.

Armen McOmber, Esq. and Prof. Nvair Beylerian, seamlessly guided the program.

Astghikner Junior Ensemble of St. Gregory the Illuminator Mission Parish in Brooklyn sang the Armenian and American anthems and Hayr Mer, under the leadership of Maria Sahakyan.

Other clergy in attendance included Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and Nurhan Becidiyan, of the Roman Catholic Armenian Eparchy of America and Canada.

(All photos by Anahit Kaprielian)