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Greater Washington D.C. Armenians
Commemorate Genocide
 WASHINGTON—Armenian-Americans from throughout the southern
Maryland, northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C. area
joined together on April 20 at the Soorp Khatch Armenian
Church Arabian Hall for the annual community commemoration
of the Armenian Genocide, hosted by the Armenian Genocide
Commemorative Committee of Greater Washington.
Participants young and old gathered to remember the 1.5
million Armenians who had perished, to honor the survivors,
and to recommit to efforts to secure justice for the
Armenian Genocide. The program began with the presentation
of moving biographies of genocide survivors Yeretsgeen
Sirarpi Khoyan and Loosadzeen Tatarian, read as each entered
the hall for the solemn remembrance, following the Greater
Washington Homenetmen Armenian Scout troop color guard.
 Keynote speakers of the day included Armenian Weekly editor
Khatchig Mouradian, ANCA legislative affairs director Raffi
Karakashian, and the senior foreign policy advisor for Rep.
Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Greg Aftandilian. Each focused on
the role of continued community and political activism to
raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide and vigilance to
end the cycle of genocide—already seen in the 21st century
with the ongoing atrocities in Darfur.
Mouradian praised the growing commitment of youth to take
action against genocide, citing a recent discussion at a
Massachusetts high school, where some 350 students gathered
to hear his remarks about the Armenian Genocide at a
“Genocide Awareness Day” assembly organized by the students.
 Karakashian and Aftandilian noted the widespread media
coverage of the Armenian Genocide following the House
Foreign Affairs Committee’s passage of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (H.Res.106) last October. Karakashian asked,
“What are the brave waiting for?” (Ov vor katch eh inch
guh sbaseh), echoing the words from “Serop’s Song,”
written some 100 years ago, but holding great meaning today.
He urged communities around the U.S. to work with their
local ANC’s to secure proper recognition for the Armenian
Genocide.
Master of ceremonies for the program was Antranig Tatarian,
whose moving opening remarks urged vigilance in the face of
an unrepentant Turkey that continues a multi-million dollar
worldwide genocide denial campaign.
Musical and cultural interludes were performed by the
Hamasdegh Armenian School students, including young brother
and sister team Galine and Hrag Tanashian, whose Armenian
poetry recitations brought tears to the eyes of attendees.
The program concluded with a moving Armenian dance
presentation by the Hamasdegh school students, choreographed
by fellow student Arpa Vartanian, followed by a closing
prayer offered by Soorp Khatch Church pastor, Rev. Father
Sarkis Aktavoukian. Earlier in the day, Rev. Father
Aktavoukian had led the congregation in a special requiem
service in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide
and a madagh served by the Soorp Khatch Ladies guild.
 The commemorative program was part of a series of activities
organized by the local Armenian Genocide Commemorative
Committee of Greater Washington, chaired by AYF
representative Serouj Aprahaphamian. Participating
organizations include the Soorp Khatch Armenian Church Board
of Trustees, the Soorp Khatch Ladies Guild, the Hamasdegh
Armenian School, and the ARF Sebouh Gomideh and its sister
organizations, including the local Armenian National
Committee, Armenian Relief Society, Hamazkayin Armenian
Educational and Cultural Association, Armenian Youth
Federation Seniors and Juniors, and Homenetmen Armenian
Athletic and Scouting Association. The Homenetmen had held a
special program on April 18th marking the 93rd anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide, with songs and poetry presented by
its scouts.
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