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.
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.
