DISPLACED ARMENIANS FIND A HOME HERE
by Tom Vartabedian
February 19, 2013
The world of journalism is sometimes like a boomerang. What you throw
out there in terms of a story often comes back in another way. It
amazes me how intertwined and related life often becomes.
A story I just wrote on Vartus Varadian’s battle with cancer and
Chinese art told of her family’s connection with ANCHA at a time when
members were emigrating from Romania.
Their journey was aided by ANCHA, the call letters for American
National Committee for Homeless Armenians, not to be confused with
the Armenian National Committee of America. Two different entities,
folks, but with similar goals: to create a better world for the
Armenian people.
The Artinians (Vartus’ family) settled here by way of Beirut. They
were set to immigrate to Argentina where they had relatives, but the
unsettled climate veered them straight toward the American Dream.
Now, Vartus winds up marrying a Providence guy named Paul Varadian,
only to discover that his mom Anahid (Karentz) Varadian was a big
ANCHA patriot with the Armenian Relief Society (ARS).
“It was not until I met Paul that I found out his grandmother Vergine
Karentz was an instrumental figure in the creation of ANCHA,” she
brought out.
No doubt, the family owes its allegiance to ANCHA, as did many others
of its kind. Many an immigrant in the post-World War II era could
vouch for the benefits they received while emigrating here.
The very first Armenian book I ever read as an AYFer was George
Mardikian’s Song of America. I discovered him, before I read Saroyan,
likely because there was an old copy of the book lying around the
old Hairenik building. I took it home and was engrossed by it.
It was there that I first heard about ANCHA and Mardikian’s subtle
beginnings with the organization. Over and beyond his business as
a restaurateur with Omar Khayyam and his impeccable work with the
Boy Scouts, Mardikian was bullish about bringing Armenians to this
country and getting them settled.
I wish I had a dollar for every complimentary meal he dished out at
his San Francisco eatery. I never did get to meet the man, much less
dine there, but his reputation as a Good Samaritan behooves us all.
There to assist him was Atty. Suren Saroyan and other prominent
Armenian-Americans in California. To raise money, Mardikian turned
to the ARS during a national convention in New York.
Two hundred delegates unanimously raised $25,000 and promised to
represent ANCHA in their communities. Upon his retirement from active
duty, Brig. Gen. Haig Shekerjian accepted the directorship of ANCHA
in Europe and began distributing food, clothing, and medical supplies.
By 1949, over 2,000 people had been rescued from the DP (Displaced
Persons) camps in Germany and Italy and brought to America.
Discussions with the Brazilian Embassy in Washington resulted in
another 200 individuals being sent to Brazil.
Many of these DPs arrived in Providence from New York and established
a viable Armenian community in that state, with people like Vergine
and Soghomon Karentz showing the way, joined by Aghavni and Zaven
Tenkarian, Nishan Bedrosian, Hovag Hagopian, Arthur (Giragosian)
Gregian, Boghos Sahagian, and Zakar Bogosian.
Indeed, Providence, New York City, and Boston became meccas for
ANCHA refugees.
“It was a heart-wrenching sight to see adults carrying only one small
piece of luggage-their worldly possessions-in one hand and cradling a
sleeping child in the other, uncertain of the future,” recalls Anahid
Karentz Varadian. “The task was enormous and the Providence community
responded to their plight by finding homes and furnishings, along
with employment, financial assistance, schools for their children,
transportation for medical care, and translators to cope with forms
and permits.”
Troubled times for immigrants were facilitated through the efforts
of ANCHA and a cadre of Armenian-American missionaries looking out
for their welfare.
These days, the Armenian Prelacy is distributing a new paperback
titled Our Brothers’ Keepers by Hratch Zadoian, which tells the entire
ANCHA story. The book contains only 106 pages and features pictures,
letters, and references.
“After all these years, I’m so glad to see the story documented,” added
Karentz-Varadian. “It’s a great resource on this humanitarian project
that started after World War II, thanks to Mardikian and Saroyan.”
Suren Saroyan continued the work after Mardikian’s death, bringing
thousands more from Romania, Bulgaria, Armenia, Cyprus, and Egypt. In
the end, offices in 62 cities were manned by volunteers.
This past October, ANCHA was recognized with a Prelacy Award for its
extraordinary humanitarian actions. Accepting the honor was Hourig
Papazian-Sahagian, teacher extraordinaire and playwright.
Tribute was paid to Hourig’s mother Arpi, who unabashedly recruited
family and friends to help the refugees when they settled in New
York City.
Among those who rose to their feet in applause were Armenians who
were sponsored by ANCHA.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/02/19/displaced-armenians-find-a-home-here/