Merrimack Valley Armenians mark the Genocide anniversary

by Tom Vartabedian

Published: Sunday May 01, 2011

Merrimack Valley children parade through downtown Lowell.

Lowell, Mass. - U.S. Congresswoman Niki Tsongas was faced with a dilemma April 16. She had accepted an invitation to address a gathering of Merrimack Valley Armenians commemorating the 96th anniversary of the Genocide.

A day before, she received word that the remains of a World War 2 veteran were being shipped to her city with a funeral and fly-over planned.

She managed to meet both commitments, choosing first to march with a contingent along downtown Lowell and issue a citation before rushing off to the military call.

In a prepared statement, Tsongas pledged her full support to the Armenian community of America as a third-term representative of the Fifth Congressional District.

"As a member of the Armenian Congressional Caucus, I look forward to continue promoting the mutual interests of our two countries and celebrate our rich shared history," she pointed out. "I will continue to work to see that the mass murders by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians are appropriately recognized as genocide through the passage of the long-overdue Armenian Genocide Resolution in Congress."

The resolution calls upon the United States to "accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians as Genocide and to recall the proud history of United States intervention in opposition to the Armenian Genocide."

Tsongas said she will also support U.S. investments that have helped spur Armenia's economic growth and advance the development of Armenia's democratic institutions while also helping the people of Armenia survive, despite Turkish and Azeri blockades.

"It is critical that the United States demonstrate appropriate diplomacy and pressure to improve relations between Armenia and Turkey," she added. "I'm hopeful that with American leadership, normalization may soon take place. Commemorating this solemn anniversary help makes the Merrimack Valley a more enriched ethnic community."

The observance kicked off with a downtown procession, led by a color guard from the Sam Manoian Post, Armenian-American Veterans of Lowell. Children from Sts. Vartanantz Church and St. Gregory Church held banners and took a pro-active role at the flag-raising ceremony which culminated the program.

Mayor James Milinazzo announced plans for a genocide memorial to be erected by the flagpole as a tribute to the 1.5 million martyrs as well as the many who escaped the genocide and immigrated to Lowell.

"They became an asset to the growth of our economic and social fabric," he pointed out. "The growing Armenian community developed diversity that promoted the formation of churches, social and political organizations, promoting healthy religious values and strong civic pride."

Stephen Mesrobian, Eastern Region vice-chairman, Armenian National Committee of America, said declaration of the Armenian Genocide must be a bigger issue in the 2012 elections.

"Armenian-Americans need to be extra vigilant," he said. "Genocide unrecognized and unpunished will only lead to genocide repeated."

Mesrobian noted that for the first time since 1915, April 24th falls on Easter Sunday, making matters more offensive. He called for the three R's: recognition, restitution and reparations.

"Only by getting back our historic lands illegally confiscated by Turkey and paying restitution to the Armenian nation will we be able to close this dark chapter in human history and move on," he concluded.

Two student speakers represented their generation with class.

Representing the North Andover AYF was Olivia Barberian, who compared the genocide to everyday tribulations in our society.

"Why do bad things happen to good people?" she questioned. "We all share a common burden. To be Armenian means so much more than having the same heritage. We lean on each other more than ever before in this generation to fight for those before us.

"The next time something bad occurs, never think there isn't a reason to come back 10 times stronger. The past may be gone but until it is settled, we won't stop fighting toward a brighter future," she continued.

Taleen Kalajian spoke in behalf of the ACYOA of Sts. Vartanantz Church, pointing to the devastation suffered by her own family in 1915.

"The genocide and its atrocities were not able to crush the passion of being good Christian Armenians," she brought out. "It is up to the youth of today to take on this challenge of creating a new Armenia by living our identity through faith, language and culture.

"We must be staunch protectors of Armenian rights and the rights of our martyrs --- to be remembered with dignity and know that the truth of their suffering will be our cause forever," she resumed.

Prayers were said by Rev. Khachatur Kesablyan and Rev. Karekin Bedourian. A reception followed inside City Hall, organized by the Lowell ARS and Sts. Vartanantz Women's Guild.