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Armenian Genocide survivors Honored by Gov. Deval Patrick
By Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/06/09/armenian-genocide-survivors-honored-by-gov-deval-patrick/
June 9, 2013
BOSTON, Mass. - The Boston terrorist bombings may have taken a tragic
toll on more than 300 victims and devastated the city's metropolis in
its wake. But it did little to deter the spirit behind the 98th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick honored Nellie Nazarian, the last
Armenian Genocide survivor in Merrimack Valley, with a special
proclamation from the Commonwealth. Front, from left, Jirair
Hovsepian, member, Greater Boston Commemorative Committee; Nellie
Nazarian, 101; State Rep. Linda Campbell (D-Methuen/Haverhill) and
State Rep. Brian Dempsey (D-Haverhill). Rear, Rev. Dr. Vart Gyozalian,
pastor, Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, Haverhill, and Debbie Nazarian,
Haverhill, with whom she makes her home.
True, a manhunt for the perpetrators resulted in the cancellation of a
Statehouse Commemoration and shut down businesses for the day, turning
the hub into a virtual ghost town.
But the remaining survivors of the Armenian Genocide are being
remembered with proclamations issued by Gov. Deval Patrick.
Moreover, they are being delivered by `messengers' from the committee.
`It would have been nice to have the governor hand these proclamations
to these survivors on the day of our commemoration,' said Jirair
Hovsepian. `But other circumstances prevented that. So we are meeting
with these survivors and making the presentation in the governor's
name. It's much more personal that way.'
Hovsepian traveled 50 miles from Belmont to visit Nellie Nazarian with
proclamation in hand. The 101-year-old survivor makes her home in
Haverhill with granddaughter Debbie Nazarian, who has taken over the
jewelry business started by her grandparents generations ago.
The event turned into a community-wide endeavor. Attending the home
ceremony were two state representatives from Nellie's district, Brian
Dempsey, chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, and newly-elected
Linda Campbell, both of whom presented the guest of honor with House
resolutions.
A blessing was given by Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalian, pastor, Armenian
Church at Hye Pointe.
Despite her advanced age, Nellie attended the Merrimack Valley
commemoration this year in North Andover with family members. She was
also the object of everyone's affection.
The statehouse commemoration was expected to attract some 500 guests,
many of whom were prepared to walk the distance to the Rose Kennedy
Greenway and the Armenian Heritage Memorial for a service, followed by
lunch on the grounds.
`We're hoping to visit as many survivors as we can to present these
citations,' said Hovsepian. `It gets us to spend some quality time
with them and meet their families. They really appreciate the visit.'
Hovsepian, who operates a photography business, will return to
Nellie's home with a video camera to document her history.
`With the centennial just around the corner, we're making plans to
bring the different communities together for one large observance,' he
pointed out.
From: Baghdasarian
By Tom Vartabedian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/06/09/armenian-genocide-survivors-honored-by-gov-deval-patrick/
June 9, 2013
BOSTON, Mass. - The Boston terrorist bombings may have taken a tragic
toll on more than 300 victims and devastated the city's metropolis in
its wake. But it did little to deter the spirit behind the 98th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick honored Nellie Nazarian, the last
Armenian Genocide survivor in Merrimack Valley, with a special
proclamation from the Commonwealth. Front, from left, Jirair
Hovsepian, member, Greater Boston Commemorative Committee; Nellie
Nazarian, 101; State Rep. Linda Campbell (D-Methuen/Haverhill) and
State Rep. Brian Dempsey (D-Haverhill). Rear, Rev. Dr. Vart Gyozalian,
pastor, Armenian Church at Hye Pointe, Haverhill, and Debbie Nazarian,
Haverhill, with whom she makes her home.
True, a manhunt for the perpetrators resulted in the cancellation of a
Statehouse Commemoration and shut down businesses for the day, turning
the hub into a virtual ghost town.
But the remaining survivors of the Armenian Genocide are being
remembered with proclamations issued by Gov. Deval Patrick.
Moreover, they are being delivered by `messengers' from the committee.
`It would have been nice to have the governor hand these proclamations
to these survivors on the day of our commemoration,' said Jirair
Hovsepian. `But other circumstances prevented that. So we are meeting
with these survivors and making the presentation in the governor's
name. It's much more personal that way.'
Hovsepian traveled 50 miles from Belmont to visit Nellie Nazarian with
proclamation in hand. The 101-year-old survivor makes her home in
Haverhill with granddaughter Debbie Nazarian, who has taken over the
jewelry business started by her grandparents generations ago.
The event turned into a community-wide endeavor. Attending the home
ceremony were two state representatives from Nellie's district, Brian
Dempsey, chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, and newly-elected
Linda Campbell, both of whom presented the guest of honor with House
resolutions.
A blessing was given by Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalian, pastor, Armenian
Church at Hye Pointe.
Despite her advanced age, Nellie attended the Merrimack Valley
commemoration this year in North Andover with family members. She was
also the object of everyone's affection.
The statehouse commemoration was expected to attract some 500 guests,
many of whom were prepared to walk the distance to the Rose Kennedy
Greenway and the Armenian Heritage Memorial for a service, followed by
lunch on the grounds.
`We're hoping to visit as many survivors as we can to present these
citations,' said Hovsepian. `It gets us to spend some quality time
with them and meet their families. They really appreciate the visit.'
Hovsepian, who operates a photography business, will return to
Nellie's home with a video camera to document her history.
`With the centennial just around the corner, we're making plans to
bring the different communities together for one large observance,' he
pointed out.
From: Baghdasarian