Members of the family of Past Amverts Post 41 Commander Edward Herosian are present as the late Mr. Herosian is honored at the AMVETS Post 41 Member Appreciation Banquet (David Medzorian photo)

Cpl. Paul S. Marsoubian Amvets Post 41 Hosts Member Appreciation Banquet: Tribute to Past Commander Edward Herosian

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By Jack Medzorian, Past Commander

WATERTOWN — On November 24, the Cpl. Paul S. Marsoubian Post 41 American Veterans (AmVets) held its annual member appreciation banquet at the Oakley Country Club, in Watertown. Over 60 persons were present, including guests from the family of Past Commander Edward Herosian, represented by his widow, Ann Herosian and their children.

AmVets Post 41 was formed 66 years ago, the brainchild of Kasper Bejoian who recruited a group of 11 founders, including himself, to unite Armenian veterans of World War II. It continued with veterans of subsequent wars, notably, Korea and Vietnam. The Post grew rapidly and within one year it formed a women’s auxiliary, comprised of female veterans, and female members of veterans’ families. Overall membership since inception reached approximately 450 veterans, most of whom have passed on.

The main objective of the Post was to unite Armenian veterans who fought together to build together and serve the needs of their veteran brothers and the community. Its membership achievement included Lincoln Jelallian who became Massachusetts State Commander, and Berge Avadanian, who became National AmVets Commander.

In the 1960s, the Post moved to a new building, custom-built by Past Commander Edward Herosian, on Grove Street, in Watertown. In 2015, as the membership dwindled, the Post sold the building, thanks to a major effort led by Herosian, who was serving a second term as Post Commander at the time. The Post then made an agreement with the AGBU New England District to use its building on Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, for its offices and monthly meetings.

Two Post 41 members enjoying the music (photo: David Medzorian)

The membership decided to utilize the funds from the sale of the building to establish an endowment fund mainly to provide scholarships, first and foremost, to families of Post members present and deceased.  This program began in 2017 and has continued since. At the same time the Endowment Fund was placed with the AGBU to earn income, which together with the principal, funds scholarships.

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Commander George W. Haroutunian, in his welcoming speech, paid tribute to Past Commander Edward Herosian and the outstanding effort he made during his final years to sell the building. He then called upon his widow, Ann Herosian, and her family to come to the podium to receive a plaque honoring Edward Herosian. Their son, Glenn Herosian, spoke about his dad’s military service in WWII and dedication to the Post. He recalled the period when his father was building the new Post headquarters and how he had helped his dad at that time on the site

Commander George W. Haroutunian addressing guests at Member Appreciation Banquet for the Cpl. Paul S. Marsoubian Post 41 AMVETS held at Oakley Country Club in Belmont on November 24th. (David Medzorian photo)

Post Donations

Following the presentation George Haroutunian reviewed the major donations made by the Post over the past 2-3 years, which included:

  • Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Home, donation of Hoyer lifts to assist bedridden residents.
  • Donation to Heritage Park Foundation Endowment Fund. A plaque on the site includes the name of the Post.
  • Scholarships since 2017 totaling $173,500 for 88 students, and ongoing as presented by Scholarship Committee Chairman Harold Partamian.
  • Donation to the new building fund of the National Association of Armenian Studies and Research with plaque placed at the location of ancient manuscripts.
  • Support of Armenia Tree Project: Bench with a plaque and trees planted at the Bash-Abaran battle site where General Dro is buried, near Gyumri, Armenia.
  • AGBU New England Headquarters.
  • Donation to the Muratsan Children’s Cancer Center in Yerevan
  • Donation of funds to support needy MA AMVETS veterans.
  • Holiday meal on Army Day January 28, 2018 for Armenia’s frontline soldiers.
  • Finalization of Endowment Agreement with AGBU
  • Establish web site and uploading veteran’s interviews to go on line Jan 2019
  • Conversion of Post to “Armenian American Veterans of Greater Boston.”

Past Commander and Trustee Jack Medzorian praised Commander George Haroutunian for his exemplary efforts in leading the Post during the past few years, especially after the death of Past Commander Edward Herosian.

Following a full course meal, members and guests danced to the tunes of Leon Janikian and his band and enjoyed the company of veteran brothers and families. The event was ably organized by the co-chairs, First Vice Commander Edward Der Kazarian and Walter Nahabedian.

Topics: Amvets, Veterans
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