FOX6Now.com Milwaukee
May 10 2009

Survivor’s great-granddaughter to wed among Titanic artifacts at
Milwaukee museum

May 10, 2009

MILWAUKEE (AP) ‘ A couple with a special connection to the Titanic
will wed among the ship’s artifacts at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Twenty-eight-year-old Melissa Vartanian (vahr-TAHN-yan) and
31-year-old Vache Mikaelian (Va-CHAY mih-KAHL-ihn) will be married
Friday at "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition."

Melissa Vartanian’s great-grandfather, David Vartanian, was fleeing
Turkish occupation in Armenia when he boarded the Titanic. He planned
to later send for his new bride, Mary.

When the ship sank, Vartanian hung on the side of a lifeboat. After
recovering, it took him about six years to find his wife and another
five or so to be reunited.

The couple was chosen through a contest held by WTMJ-TV.

Melissa Vartanian says the wedding will be a tribute to her
great-grandparents’ love story.

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