SOLD-OUT ANCA-WR ANNUAL BANQUET DRAWS OVER 800
ASBAREZ
Monday, December 5th, 2011
Rep. Linda Sanchez presents award to the youngest veteran honoree,
Kevork Khachadurian, 22, while the oldest honoree, Niki Smith, 92,
cheers on
UNIVERSAL CITY-The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region welcomed more than 800 community members on Saturday, November
26 at the Sheraton Universal to one of its most successful annual
banquets in recent memory.
The guests were treated to presentations packed with substance
and excitement as elected officials, military veterans, community
benefactors, and accomplished and dedicated individuals were honored.
A video presentation, produced by Ara Soudjian, highlighted the many
diverse programs of the ANCA.
Banquet committee chairladies, Christina Jabarian and Linda Adran The
evening began with remarks by the Annual Banquet committee co-chairs,
Christina Jabarian and Linda Adran. Jabarian stated that “[tonight we]
stand tall and proud and marvel at the accomplishments of the Armenian
National Committee of America – Western Region.” Jabarian ended with
a message of gratitude: “To the soldiers of Hai Tahd, a big thank you!”
She was followed by Adran, who emphasized that “continued support,
dedication, and activism will help us all” attain the goal of
completing the great deal of work that remains.
Lara Garibian’s moving rendition of the US and Armenian national
anthems was followed by an ecumenical invocation presented by Western
Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian, Reverend Joseph Matossian of
the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, and Very Rev. Father
Krikor Chahinian of the Armenian Catholic Church.
The impressive awards ceremony of the evening began with Congressman
Ed Royce, who received the Man of the Year Award for his steadfast
support of Armenian-American issues in Congress. Royce was presented
the award by chairman of the National Organizational of Republican
Armenians, Aram Gaboudian.
Aram Gaboudian presents award to Congressman Royce In his remakes
Royce stated without equivocation that, “it’s long past time for the
United States to stand with the rest of the world on human rights.” He
continued by saying that “the property that has been confiscated should
be returned to the rightful owners and that’s the stand we’re taking”,
referring to the church properties stolen and appropriated by the
Turkish government in the wake of the Armenian Genocide. Exalting
the work he had seen them do, he said that “the ANC[A] has been a
formidable force” in American politics.
The congressman was followed by His Eminence, Prelate of the
Western Prelacy of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, who received the Khrimian Hayrig Award for his ceaseless
work strengthening the voice of the Armenian nation. Archbishop
Mardirossian provided a historical background of Khrimian Hayrig, who
is famous for insisting that Armenians, instead of negotiating for
their rights with a paper ladle, use an iron ladle instead. ANCA-WR
Board member Pattyl Aposhian-Kasbarian presented the Prelate with
the award.
Pattyl Aposhian-Kasbarian presents award to Arch. Mardirossian
Archbishop Mardirossian confidently pronounced that, “it is indeed
the duty of all Armenians to champion the Armenian Cause, advocate for
human rights, unrelentingly pursue truth and justice, bring awareness
of our Cause in the international arena until justice is served and
recognition of the Armenian Genocide is attained. The ANC[A] is at
the forefront in the pursuit of our Cause. It is our national duty
to join them in this pursuit and unite our efforts so that we may
triumphantly reach our greatest goals and dreams.”
The definitive highlight of the evening came before dinner when Raffi
Hamparian, ANCA National board member, introduced Armenian-American
military veterans, most of whom had served in combat roles. He began
by saying, “valor, duty, service, sacrifice, patriot, hero, these are
the codewords, the hallmarks, the signatures, of the individuals we
honor this evening.”
The veterans that were honored during the banquet In a spontaneous and
extremely touching moment, Nikki Smith (nee Satenik Gondjian), a 92
year old World War II U.S. Navy veteran, helped push the wheelchair
of Kevork Khachadurian, a 22 year old double-amputee and U.S. Marine
Corps veteran, up to the stage. The audience at the banquet gave a
standing ovation to all the veterans as they approached the stage and
they continued to stand for over eight minutes as each of them received
their awards, remarks were made, and as they exited the stage. The
veterans honored also included Baleny Minas (USMC), Karo Krtikashyan
(US Army), Jimmy Abbamontian (USMC), John Merguerian (US Army)
who were present. Shahe Assilian, Hovig Margossian, Raffi Yeremian,
and Adrineh Gouloomian were also honored but could not attend.
The awards to the veterans were presented by Rep. Linda Sanchez
(D-Calif.), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Smith and Khachadurian, the oldest and youngest among the veterans,
offered some thoughts. Khachadurian gratefully said, “I’m honored
to be here…thank God for the guys who saved me out there, if it
weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here with you all.”
Smith told her story of how she joined the armed forces and how
things have changed since her time in the service: “I joined without
my parents knowing [and] my mother responded “over my dead body”,
in Armenian.”
She highlighted the considerable advances in women’s rights since her
time in the military and how it’s changed over the years: “During
my service time, the women in the branches were auxiliaries known
WAVES, WACS, WASPS, and SPARS [referring to the acronyms used to
describe women in different areas of service during World War II],
now through the equality that women gained in the past 60 years,
women now serve side by side with their male counterparts and are
simply known as Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines.”
Smith concluded by capturing the audience and telling them about being
part of the first group of people to become a member of what would
eventually be known as they Armenian Youth Federation, saying that
when she “was 13 years old” she was initiated by “General [Karekin]
Njdeh,” as she referred to him, the founder of the AYF, and that she
remained a “tseghagroon,” the term used to describe the first group
of members, until she was 18 years old.
After dinner, the chairman of the ANCA-WR, Andrew Kzirian, delivered
the keynote address of the organization. He outlined the goals of
the organization, “to prepare Armenian-American youth for leadership
in modern-day society, to engage public officials, [and] to mobilize
and activate our grassroots.” Kzirian then enumerated the numerous
challenges and opportunities of the ANCA-WR, while maintaining a
powerful and positive tone, focusing on the community’s strength,
that kept the crowd engaged.
Kzirian expressed the ANCA-WR’s sincere and deep gratitude to the
generous donors of the evening, among them Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Cheryl
Nadjarian, who were the gracious major sponsors of the banquet.
Kzirian also thanked Mr. & Mrs. Harout & Christina Jabarian, Mrs.
Ashkhen Pilavjian, Mr. & Mrs. Varant & Hoori Melkonian, Mr. & Mrs.
Vahe & Nora Yacoubian, as well as Mr. & Mrs. Serop & Arsho Beylerian.
Kzirian was followed by ANCA-WR Board Member, Nora Hovsepian, who
informed the audience about ANC Grassroots, a three-day gathering,
which brought together more than 500 activists and advocates, who
were joined by some of the foremost experts in the fields of law,
academia, politics, the arts, media and entertainment. Hovsepian
aptly pointed out that, given the very little overlap in attendees
between ANC Grassroots and the ANCA-WR Annual Banquet, more than
1,300 individuals had gathered over one weekend in the interest of
the Armenian Cause: a first and promising step for the future.
Aida Yeghiazarian presented the award to Hacob Baghdassarian
State Assemblymember Anthony Portantino
The Legacy Award, going to individuals who have, over the years,
continuously supported the Armenian community, went to Hacop
Baghdassarian, a longtime benefactor of many Armenian organizations,
including the ANCA-WR. On stage, he offered his remarks in Armenian,
saying, “we are responsible to help the Armenian Cause…they do a
wonderful job.” Baghdassarian is the owner of the popular mall food
store chain, Massis Kabob. ANCA-WR Board member Aida Yeghiazarian
presented the award to Baghdassarian.
California State Assembly Member Anthony Portantino, who was
honored as the Legislator of the Year, opened his remarks with “pari
yerego”, meaning “good evening”, saying that he would be practicing
his Armenian there that night. As one of the stalwart supporters
of Armenian-American issues in the California State Legislature,
Portantino spoke about his experience, extolling the ANCA-WR and
stating he believes that “this community [the Armenian-American
community] is the finest example of grassroots activism […] in
California.” Known for saying “life is good”, he stayed true to his
earlier stated intention and closed his remarks in saying, “gyankuh lav
eh.” ANCA-WR Government Relations Director, Haig Hovsepian presented
the award.
Chris Gouldjian presents award to Ken Khachigian Honored for his long
list of accomplishments as an Armenian-American throughout a fruitful
professional career, including being the speechwriter to President
Ronald Reagan, advisor on nine presidential campaigns, and referred
to as the “Lion of California GOP Politics,” Ken Khachigian was the
recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. “I commend the Armenian
National Committee [of America] for its involvement in the critical
issues facing […] the Diaspora,” said Khachigian.
He then told the story of how he was the son of Genocide survivors and
how that colored his experience, growing up as an Armenian American.
He concluded in offering sage advice, that “with determination and
a sense of a our history I know that there are many more who can do
what I did: to make a difference, to be useful to our country[…],
and to honor the memory of those who survived the desert, and those who
did not.” ANCA-WR Board advisor Chris Gouldjian presented the award.
Zareh Sinanyan presents award to Vic Darchinyan The coda of the evening
was when Vic Darchinyan, renowned boxing superstar, was bestowed the
People’s Champion award by ANCA-WR Board member Zareh Sinanyan.
An exciting introductory video showed the many completed knockouts
during his fights, which included a clip showing Darchinyan using the
opportunity after his fight on April 23, 2011, to dedicate his victory,
on live television, to the memory of the 1.5 million martyrs of the
Armenian Genocide. Humble and succinct, Darchinyan ended the evening
by offering a small insight into his approach to the Armenian Cause:
“I’m using my brain and my fists.”
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with
a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western
United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the
ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian community on a broad
range of issues.