PAAVA honors Philadelphia-area vets

Published: Tuesday November 17, 2009

Philadelphia - The 11th annual luncheon of the Philadelphia Armenian-American Veterans Association (PAAVA), honoring the area's veterans, was a somber observance in that it also marked the passing of one of its oldest and active member, Katchadoor "Kappy" Kapeghian, Jr., who died earlier this year.

Two hundred members of the community, veterans and their spouses, and widows of PAAVA members attended the luncheon at the Holy Trinity Church, November 8.

PAAVA enjoys the support of all five Armenian Churches in the area which are also represented on the PAAVA Board. In addition to Holy Trinity Church, where the lunches are held because its hall is the largest, the other churches are: Armenian Martyrs Congregational Church, St. Gregory Illuminator Church, St. Mark's Catholic Church, and SS. Sahag-Mesrob Church.

The tribute to "Kappy" Kapeghian included a 12-minute video of the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, where he was interred. He had served in the Air Force 22 years, through World War II and Korea.

In her brief talk, PAAVA president Sandra Selverian used the fact of Kapeghian's burial at Arlington to call attention to other Armenians buried there. Their names were listed in the souvenir program. She noted that the list goes up to 1978. PAAVA, she said, is now seeking the names of Armenians buried there since 1978 in order to compile a "much-overdue list."

She also indicated that the project to erect a khatchkar over the grave of the only Armenian to have served in the American Civil War is under way. Katchadoor Garabedian, a native of Constantinople, came to America in the 1850s, became a citizen, and enlisted in the Union Navy and served as an officer on board two ships that blockaded the Southern ports – first in the Atlantic and then in the Gulf of Mexico. Upon his discharge, in Philadelphia in 1865, he remained to became the first Armenian in the city. She indicated, however, that tax-deductible contributions were still being accepted.

Margie Tavakalian, of St. Gregory Church served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

The invocation was offered by the Very Rev. Oshagan Gylgulian, of the Saints Sahag-Mesrob Church, and the benediction was given by the Very Rev. Armenag Bedrossian, of St. Mark's Church.

Next year's luncheon will be on Sunday, November 14, 2010.