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ANC-RI Raises Flag in Cranston
Wed, May 4 2011
By:http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/05/04/anc-ri-raises-flag-in-cranston/
CRANSTON, R.I. - On Friday evening, April 15, for the third year, the
Honorable Mayor Allan Fung hosted the raising of the Armenian flag at
Cranston City Hall in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
(L to R) Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Cranston, R.I. Mayor Allan Fung, and
ANC-RI citation recipient Mrs. Lillian Markarian.
The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Rhode Island presented
another empowering event respecting the memory of the martyrs.
An opening prayer was given by Pastor Hagop Manjelikian of the
Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church. Debra Pjojian touched the
hearts of all present with her angelic voice singing the national
anthem.
A citation declaring that April 15 will be forever known as Lillian
and the late Varkis Markarian Day was presented to Markarian by Mayor
Fung. Markarian is an active and passionate member of the Armenian
community and the Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, having served on
many different committees and organizations over the years. She and
her husband are great examples of the Armenian spirit. They are the
children of survivors and went on to make major contributions to the
Rhode Island Armenian community. Varkis Markarian served as a member
and chairman of the church's Board of Trustees and as a delegate to
the National Religious Assembly representing the church. Varkis was,
and Lillian remains, a huge supporter of the church and the
organizations.
Dignitaries who attended and shared words of encouragement and hope
were U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian,
House Leader Nicholas Mattiello, and former Cranston City Council
Chairman Aram Garabedian. Also in attendance was Honorable Chief Judge
of the Family Court Haiganush Bedrosian.
Cranston School Committee Member Andrea Iannazzi was the emcee for a
packed city council chambers. Anna-Marie Danayan and Narine Taraksian,
representing the Armenian youth, prepared and read speeches that were
well received by the audience.
The Providence Homenetmen Chapter, with close to 40 scouts present,
served as an honor guard, singing the four verses of `Mer Hairenik'
along with Pjojian, as Markarian raised the flag at the conclusion of
the event.
Der Hayr Gomidas Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic
Church and Deacon Hagop Ghajanian of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian
Apostolic Church gave the closing prayer together.
From: A. Papazian
Wed, May 4 2011
By:http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/05/04/anc-ri-raises-flag-in-cranston/
CRANSTON, R.I. - On Friday evening, April 15, for the third year, the
Honorable Mayor Allan Fung hosted the raising of the Armenian flag at
Cranston City Hall in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
(L to R) Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Cranston, R.I. Mayor Allan Fung, and
ANC-RI citation recipient Mrs. Lillian Markarian.
The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Rhode Island presented
another empowering event respecting the memory of the martyrs.
An opening prayer was given by Pastor Hagop Manjelikian of the
Armenian Euphrates Evangelical Church. Debra Pjojian touched the
hearts of all present with her angelic voice singing the national
anthem.
A citation declaring that April 15 will be forever known as Lillian
and the late Varkis Markarian Day was presented to Markarian by Mayor
Fung. Markarian is an active and passionate member of the Armenian
community and the Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, having served on
many different committees and organizations over the years. She and
her husband are great examples of the Armenian spirit. They are the
children of survivors and went on to make major contributions to the
Rhode Island Armenian community. Varkis Markarian served as a member
and chairman of the church's Board of Trustees and as a delegate to
the National Religious Assembly representing the church. Varkis was,
and Lillian remains, a huge supporter of the church and the
organizations.
Dignitaries who attended and shared words of encouragement and hope
were U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian,
House Leader Nicholas Mattiello, and former Cranston City Council
Chairman Aram Garabedian. Also in attendance was Honorable Chief Judge
of the Family Court Haiganush Bedrosian.
Cranston School Committee Member Andrea Iannazzi was the emcee for a
packed city council chambers. Anna-Marie Danayan and Narine Taraksian,
representing the Armenian youth, prepared and read speeches that were
well received by the audience.
The Providence Homenetmen Chapter, with close to 40 scouts present,
served as an honor guard, singing the four verses of `Mer Hairenik'
along with Pjojian, as Markarian raised the flag at the conclusion of
the event.
Der Hayr Gomidas Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic
Church and Deacon Hagop Ghajanian of St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian
Apostolic Church gave the closing prayer together.
From: A. Papazian