Tweet
LOWELL VETERANS AWARD $150,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS
By: Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/10/18/lowell-veterans-award-150000-in-scholarships/
Tue, Oct 18 2011
LOWELL, Mass.-Since 1990, members of the Sam Manoian Post,
Armenian-American Veterans, have done more than march in parades,
conduct graveside services, and donate Easter baskets to children.
They've contributed to the educational welfare of Merrimack Valley
and beyond-to the tune of $150,000.
The Sam Manoian Post, Armenian-American Veterans of Lowell, presented
scholarships to seven high school graduates. Pictured are (L-R) George
Manuelian, scholarship committee chairman; recipients Aghavny Bebirian,
Nicole Gaspari, Katie Berberian, Sam Boghigian, and Jason Keshian;
and Aram Jeknavorian, commander.
This year's distribution of $7,000 was divided among seven students,
including one in Armenia and another in Providence, R.I.
More than 200 guests turned out Sept. 24 to applaud the recipients
during a dinner-dance at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford. As
protocol had it, each student expressed words of gratitude upon
their presentation.
Over these 21 years, a total of 136 Armenian high school graduates
have been endowed with scholarships. And the buck doesn't stop here.
"It's a tradition we hope to continue for a lifetime," said Commander
Aram Jeknavorian. "The future of our younger generation is something
we take seriously. Anything we can do to enhance that goal will be
encouraged. Many of these recipients have graduated college, started
careers, and showed their gratitude by contributing to the fund. The
moral responsibilities they've exercised are exemplary."
Honored were Aghavny Bebirian, Pelham, N.H.; Nicole Gaspari,
Chelmsford; Katie Berberian, Merrimack, N.H.; Sam Boghigian, Nashua,
N.H.; Jason Keshian, North Andover; John Kalajian, Providence, R.I.;
and Lilit Solomonyan, Armenia.
The student from Armenia has a dad who operates a car import and
makes repeated trips to the Merrimack Valley for business. He signed
on as an associate member of the Post and lends his support wherever
possible. An older sibling Astghik was previously given a scholarship.
The group's history dates back to 1947 when Armenian American veterans
of World War II gathered at the Pine Street Potato Chip Company on
Gorham Street and elected Menas Boghosian as its first commander. The
numbers grew enough to be officially chartered and in 1961, they
joined the Veterans' Council of Lowell.
Over the decades, they've served the Armenian American community
with diligence and pride, volunteering at veterans' hospitals,
assisting the indigent, sponsoring Christmas parties for children,
and donating Easter baskets to children. Roses are distributed after
church services on Mother's Day.
Members conduct special graveside services for veterans and have
never missed a Memorial Day Parade or Armenian Genocide commemoration.
In 1975, the organization purchased a building and named it the Sam
Manoian Post in honor of a devoted past commander. Ten years later,
they erected a monument dedicated to Armenian settlers who became a
vital part of the Greater Lowell fabric.
Members have served this country in World War I, World War II, the
Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and Iraq.
From: Baghdasarian
By: Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/10/18/lowell-veterans-award-150000-in-scholarships/
Tue, Oct 18 2011
LOWELL, Mass.-Since 1990, members of the Sam Manoian Post,
Armenian-American Veterans, have done more than march in parades,
conduct graveside services, and donate Easter baskets to children.
They've contributed to the educational welfare of Merrimack Valley
and beyond-to the tune of $150,000.
The Sam Manoian Post, Armenian-American Veterans of Lowell, presented
scholarships to seven high school graduates. Pictured are (L-R) George
Manuelian, scholarship committee chairman; recipients Aghavny Bebirian,
Nicole Gaspari, Katie Berberian, Sam Boghigian, and Jason Keshian;
and Aram Jeknavorian, commander.
This year's distribution of $7,000 was divided among seven students,
including one in Armenia and another in Providence, R.I.
More than 200 guests turned out Sept. 24 to applaud the recipients
during a dinner-dance at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford. As
protocol had it, each student expressed words of gratitude upon
their presentation.
Over these 21 years, a total of 136 Armenian high school graduates
have been endowed with scholarships. And the buck doesn't stop here.
"It's a tradition we hope to continue for a lifetime," said Commander
Aram Jeknavorian. "The future of our younger generation is something
we take seriously. Anything we can do to enhance that goal will be
encouraged. Many of these recipients have graduated college, started
careers, and showed their gratitude by contributing to the fund. The
moral responsibilities they've exercised are exemplary."
Honored were Aghavny Bebirian, Pelham, N.H.; Nicole Gaspari,
Chelmsford; Katie Berberian, Merrimack, N.H.; Sam Boghigian, Nashua,
N.H.; Jason Keshian, North Andover; John Kalajian, Providence, R.I.;
and Lilit Solomonyan, Armenia.
The student from Armenia has a dad who operates a car import and
makes repeated trips to the Merrimack Valley for business. He signed
on as an associate member of the Post and lends his support wherever
possible. An older sibling Astghik was previously given a scholarship.
The group's history dates back to 1947 when Armenian American veterans
of World War II gathered at the Pine Street Potato Chip Company on
Gorham Street and elected Menas Boghosian as its first commander. The
numbers grew enough to be officially chartered and in 1961, they
joined the Veterans' Council of Lowell.
Over the decades, they've served the Armenian American community
with diligence and pride, volunteering at veterans' hospitals,
assisting the indigent, sponsoring Christmas parties for children,
and donating Easter baskets to children. Roses are distributed after
church services on Mother's Day.
Members conduct special graveside services for veterans and have
never missed a Memorial Day Parade or Armenian Genocide commemoration.
In 1975, the organization purchased a building and named it the Sam
Manoian Post in honor of a devoted past commander. Ten years later,
they erected a monument dedicated to Armenian settlers who became a
vital part of the Greater Lowell fabric.
Members have served this country in World War I, World War II, the
Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and Iraq.
From: Baghdasarian