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PAAVA LUNCHEON HEARS ABOUT IRAQ RECOVERY EFFORTS
By:Armenian Weekly
Mon, Nov 22 2010 | Published in Mid-Atlantic
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.
Guests at the 12th annual luncheon of the Philadelphia
Armenian-American Veterans Association (PAAVA) heard about the
reconstruction work in Iraq and received an update on the khatchkar
(Armenian cross-stone) memorial-being built to commemorate the only
known Armenian to have served in the Union Navy during the American
Civil War.
The luncheon was held on Nov. 14 and drew an audience of 175 veterans,
their spouses, the spouses of deceased veterans, and members of the
Philadelphia community.
Kerry Kachejian, a retired colonel in the Army Reserves, was the
keynote speaker of the event. Kachejian had recently returned from Iraq
after serving for six years as a leading officer in the reconstruction
operations of the Gulf Region Division (GRD).
In both his narration and slide presentation, Kachejian covered
some of the events that had garnered headlines-sometimes with a
different view-and some that never even made it in the headlines in
this country. Although the GRD is working on behalf of Iraq and the
Iraqi people, it has lost 35 personnel through ambushes, car bombs,
and rocket fire. Sadly, he pointed out, four were very close friends.
A West Point graduate, Kachejian has served in the army for 28 years
and holds the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star medals and the Combat
Action Badge, and is Airborne and Ranger qualified. Currently, he is
the director of homeland security at Raytheon. He is the author of
SUVs Suck in Combat: The Rebuilding of Iraq During A Raging Insurgency,
copies of which were available for sale and were signed by the author.
*** Paul Sookiassian, who is responsible for uncovering much of the
information about Katchadour Garabedian, the immigrant to America
who joined the Union Navy in the Civil War, reported that work has
now begun on the carving of the khatchkar that will be mounted on
Garabedian's grave. He indicated that the Memorial Fund is still
open for tax-exempt donations. In addition to being the only known
Armenian officer to have served in the Union Navy, Garabedian made
his home in Philadelphia, upon his discharge, and became the first
Armenian in the city.
Sandra Selverian, PAAVA's founder and president, recounted the history
of the organization, which began by honoring veterans from the St.
Gregory the Illuminator Apostolic Church, but which quickly expanded
to include veterans from the four other Philadelphia churches,
now represented on PAAVA's Board. The luncheon was held in the new
Founders Hall of St. Gregory;s Church, where it all began. The other
churches supporting PAAVA are: theArmenian Martyrs Congregational
Church, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Marks Armenian
Catholic Church, and Sts. Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.
The master of ceremonies was retired Master Sergeant Steven Hox who,
having married into the Kuredjian family, is now a member of PAAVA
and a member of St. Gregory's Church, the host of this year's luncheon.
As part of the program, Martin Gutchigian, an 88-year-old PAAVA member,
led the singing of "America The Beautiful" at the beginning, and
"God Bless America" at the end of the luncheon, as well as offering
"Danny Boy" during the program. The song, he said, was always sung
on board his ship during the Pacific war whenever a member of the
crew was killed in action and his body confined to the sea.
The Colors were presented and retired by the Homenetmen Scouts
Troop Number 15. The invocation was pronounced by Archpriest Nerses
Manoogian of St. Gregory's Church, and the benediction was offered
by Rev. L. Nishan Bakalian, pastor of Armenian Martyr's Church.
Those wishing to donate to the Khatchkar Fund, should send their
tax-exempt contribution to: Richard Weinsheimer, Apt 15, 300 Ernest
Way, Philadelphia, PA 19111, marking it "Garabedian Memorial."
Next year's PAAVA Luncheon will be held on Nov. 13.
From: A. Papazian
By:Armenian Weekly
Mon, Nov 22 2010 | Published in Mid-Atlantic
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.
Guests at the 12th annual luncheon of the Philadelphia
Armenian-American Veterans Association (PAAVA) heard about the
reconstruction work in Iraq and received an update on the khatchkar
(Armenian cross-stone) memorial-being built to commemorate the only
known Armenian to have served in the Union Navy during the American
Civil War.
The luncheon was held on Nov. 14 and drew an audience of 175 veterans,
their spouses, the spouses of deceased veterans, and members of the
Philadelphia community.
Kerry Kachejian, a retired colonel in the Army Reserves, was the
keynote speaker of the event. Kachejian had recently returned from Iraq
after serving for six years as a leading officer in the reconstruction
operations of the Gulf Region Division (GRD).
In both his narration and slide presentation, Kachejian covered
some of the events that had garnered headlines-sometimes with a
different view-and some that never even made it in the headlines in
this country. Although the GRD is working on behalf of Iraq and the
Iraqi people, it has lost 35 personnel through ambushes, car bombs,
and rocket fire. Sadly, he pointed out, four were very close friends.
A West Point graduate, Kachejian has served in the army for 28 years
and holds the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star medals and the Combat
Action Badge, and is Airborne and Ranger qualified. Currently, he is
the director of homeland security at Raytheon. He is the author of
SUVs Suck in Combat: The Rebuilding of Iraq During A Raging Insurgency,
copies of which were available for sale and were signed by the author.
*** Paul Sookiassian, who is responsible for uncovering much of the
information about Katchadour Garabedian, the immigrant to America
who joined the Union Navy in the Civil War, reported that work has
now begun on the carving of the khatchkar that will be mounted on
Garabedian's grave. He indicated that the Memorial Fund is still
open for tax-exempt donations. In addition to being the only known
Armenian officer to have served in the Union Navy, Garabedian made
his home in Philadelphia, upon his discharge, and became the first
Armenian in the city.
Sandra Selverian, PAAVA's founder and president, recounted the history
of the organization, which began by honoring veterans from the St.
Gregory the Illuminator Apostolic Church, but which quickly expanded
to include veterans from the four other Philadelphia churches,
now represented on PAAVA's Board. The luncheon was held in the new
Founders Hall of St. Gregory;s Church, where it all began. The other
churches supporting PAAVA are: theArmenian Martyrs Congregational
Church, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Marks Armenian
Catholic Church, and Sts. Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.
The master of ceremonies was retired Master Sergeant Steven Hox who,
having married into the Kuredjian family, is now a member of PAAVA
and a member of St. Gregory's Church, the host of this year's luncheon.
As part of the program, Martin Gutchigian, an 88-year-old PAAVA member,
led the singing of "America The Beautiful" at the beginning, and
"God Bless America" at the end of the luncheon, as well as offering
"Danny Boy" during the program. The song, he said, was always sung
on board his ship during the Pacific war whenever a member of the
crew was killed in action and his body confined to the sea.
The Colors were presented and retired by the Homenetmen Scouts
Troop Number 15. The invocation was pronounced by Archpriest Nerses
Manoogian of St. Gregory's Church, and the benediction was offered
by Rev. L. Nishan Bakalian, pastor of Armenian Martyr's Church.
Those wishing to donate to the Khatchkar Fund, should send their
tax-exempt contribution to: Richard Weinsheimer, Apt 15, 300 Ernest
Way, Philadelphia, PA 19111, marking it "Garabedian Memorial."
Next year's PAAVA Luncheon will be held on Nov. 13.
From: A. Papazian