Commemorative Activities in the RI Armenian community

"The Armenian Weekly", Volume 74, No. 18, May 3, 2007

It may have been 93 years since the worlds of all those that lived on the lands of their ancestors were turned upside down, but they remain in our hearts and minds to this day. We continue to remember our martyrs and will do so year after year. Below is a summary of events that took place in the Rhode Island community during the week of April 24.

Cranston flag raising

On April 23, the council chambers were the host location for the Cranston ANC-RI flag raising. The room was filled to capacity and beyond. Mistress of ceremonies Stephanie Mesrobian welcomed the members of the clergy, elected officials, and members of the community. All three Armenian churches were represented by their religious leaders and included Father Gomidas Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Pastor Hagop Manjelikian of the Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church, and Hayr Soorp Simeon Odabashian of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church.

Debra Pjojian opened the event with the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Mer Hairenik.” Later Joanne Mouradjian sang “Hantchetsek” after reading the meaning of the moving piece about the martyrs.

Messages were heard from Michael Napolitano, the mayor of Cranston, the third largest city on the state, council president Aram Garabedian and Mesrobian, whose poignant statements throughout the event were inspiring.

Providence AYF junior Narine Hagopian read on behalf of the youth from the city and Geoff Hajian read a poem titled “Archie’s Hill.” He wrote the poem for his late grandfather.

Once the speaking program concluded, all those in attendance proceeded to the front of the building where Hagopian raised the flag under the honor guard of the Providence Homenetmen Scouts.

North Providence flag raising

On April 24, for the ninth straight year, the ANC of RI held a flag raising ceremony at the North Providence Town Hall. All three Armenian churches were again represented by their religious leaders. Elected officials present included the host, mayor Charles Lombardi of North Providence, secretary of state A. Ralph Mollis, general treasurer Frank Caprio, Warwick mayor Scott Avedisian and Cranston City Council chairman Aram Garabedian.

Stephen Elmasian gave remarks on behalf of the ANC-RI. This year’s North Providence resident who received the citation from Mayor Lombardi was Carol Mesrobian, who Mesrobian joins a who’s who of Armenian-Americans who have brought honor and pride to our name as citizens of that town and who are active in the Armenian community.

Cianci radio show

Two of the most active and knowledgeable members of the Providence ARF “Kristapor” Gomideh and ANC of RI, George Aghjayan and Stephen Mesrobian, were guests of the Cianci Talk Radio Show following the flag raising in North Providence on April 24. Both men have served at various levels within the organizations. The host, Vincent Cianci, a former mayor of the City of Providence, is very much aware of the issues regarding the genocide. He asked questions that were answered by Aghjayan and Mesrobian with clarity and confidence. They were on the air for about 45 minutes.

AYF candlelight vigil

Following a requiem service held at Sts. Vartanantz Church on April 24, some of the parishioners that were present met up with others at Gallery Z, an art studio located in the heart of historic Federal Hill in Providence where the Providence AYF “Varantian” Chapter had organized a candlelight vigil. Father Gomidas Baghsarian said a short prayer, which was followed by the “Hayr Mer,” as those present lit candles and placed them in a box of sand outside the premises.

Inside the building, an exhibition has been on display from New York City artist Kevork Mourad. In the public arts window, two organizations, the Armenian Dramatic Arts Alliance and the Providence Chapter of the AYF were given space by owner Berge Zobian to display posters and information regarding the purpose of each organization and material related to the genocide.

Flags over RI program

This year marked the third year the ANC-RI organized the “Flags Over RI” program. Fifty-one organizations, businesses, and individuals sponsored a flag at a city or town hall of their choice in memory of a loved one. Each year the program has taken place, the number of sponsors has increased. Nearly every city and town hall in Rhode Island as well as the State House fly the flag on April 24. Both houses of the state legislature passed their annual resolutions officially recognizing the genocide and the governor of the state, Donald Carcieri, issued the proclamation as is done every year. The two towns that don’t fly the flag have no issue regarding the recognition of the genocide. It’s just a matter of finding a different place aside from their administration building to fly it because of an ordinance currently in place.

New York demonstration

On April 26, 32 members of the Providence community boarded a bus to New York City to join others for a demonstration demanding justice for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The event was organized by the Providence AYF. We are proud to say we had one of the largest groups present. Levon Attarian, an AYF alum and member of the Providence ARF, spoke to the crowd that had gathered and was well received as always. The event provided an opportunity especially for the youth to experience firsthand the importance of continuing our quest for genocide recognition.

Gathering at monument

On April 27, a crowd of several hundred gathered once again to pay their respects at the Armenian Martyr’s Monument located at the entrance of North Burial Grounds in Providence. A requiem service was held with all three Armenian churches present. Elected officials present and giving remarks were U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the governor’s director of administration Beverly Najarian, secretary of state A. Ralph Mollis, general treasurer Frank Caprio, attorney general Patrick Lynch, Providence mayor David Cicilline, Warwick mayor Scott Avedisian, and Cranston City Council chairman Aram Garabedian.

Melanie Zeitounian was the mistress of ceremonies of the event. The monument was adorned with beautiful red and white flowers and wreaths from many organizations within the community.

Pauline Getzoyan and Esther Kalajian have been working hard at getting the Genocide Curriculum Bill passed through the local school committees and were proud to announce that a handbook titled A Case Study of the First Genocide of the 20th Century is now complete and should be ready for all of the state’s social studies teachers by the fall.

Robert Petrucci, a social studies teacher from East Greenwich and last year’s winner of the first award given to the Teacher of the Year regarding the genocide, was also present. This year’s winner was Paula Titon from Cranston High School West, who has been a history teacher for over 40 years.

The guest speaker of the day was Henry Theriault, professor of philosophy at Worcester State College and co-editor of the Journal Genocide Studies and Prevention. The Homenetmen Scouts served as flag bearers and the Armenian Masonic Degree Team and the Knights of Vartan served as honor guards.