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Baroness Caroline Cox and Mourad Topalian: A Detroit Evening Written in Gold
By Betty Apigian-Kessel
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/05/14/baroness-caroline-cox-and-mourad-topalian-a-detroit-evening-written-in-gold/
May 14, 2013
It was a powerhouse event featuring a dynamic duo, ANCA Eastern Region
Freedom Award winners Baroness Caroline Cox and firebrand national
community leader Mourad Topalian who willingly electrified an overflow
crowd of 400 people on the evening of April 27 at Livonia Stevenson
High School. The stellar evening was presented with the cooperation of
the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Greater Detroit.
A beautiful sight was the Homenetmen presentation of the United States
flag, the Armenian tri-color, and the Michigan state and Artsakh flags
during the singing of the national anthems, and the AYF singing of the
National Anthems (with Helen Mempreian Movsesianon playing the piano).
The youth actively participated in the event.
As co-chair Michael Hagopian indicated, `We are here to commemorate
the 98th year of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 perpetrated by the
Ottoman Empire and still denied by the present-day Turkish government
regardless of positive proof to the opposite. Our martyrs say don't
mourn us avenge us, and our youth must start taking the lead. All
Armenians lost loved ones.' To the Turkish state Hagopian said
emphatically, `We are here and we are here to stay.'
Hagopian introduced the keynote speaker Baroness Caroline Cox.
Baroness Cox is like Eleanor Roosevelt and Mother Theresa rolled into
one. Mourad Topalian is reminiscent of Detroit's late Hagop Mouradian
and Arthur Giragosian of Providence, who with their fiery oratory
could shake the very foundation of any venue. No better compliment
could be given to any man and when told this Mourad showed a broad
smile, knowing he was in great company. Together, Baroness Cox and
Topalian gave the Metro Detroit audience an evening to remember - one
that rallied them to become more involved in the fight for Armenian
justice, and awakened them to the existing danger by the growing bully
strength of present-day Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Baroness Cox was accompanied by good friends and area residents Robert
and Gayane Kachadourian. She greeted the audience with `Parev tsez,'
and spoke of her `tribute to a Nation whose people not only survive
but create beauty from the ashes of destruction.' She has made 78
remarkable visits to Armenia and Karabagh, strongly believing in the
right to self-determination of the Armenians of Karabagh. She is the
chair of the British Armenia All-Party Parliamentary Group.
When I asked her how to properly address her, she replied in a down to
earth manner, `Call me by my Christian name, Caroline.' She endeared
herself to all by being involved in the rehabilitation of the disabled
through the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART), which has become an
internationally recognized `Center of Excellence.'
She told her horror stories of the Karabagh War and bombed out homes,
of families hiding in basements with no light or heat, of children
being born in basements, but said their spirit always carried them
through ordeals valiantly. She told of a lack of medication and legs
amputated without the aid of anesthesia, and how she loaded up in
London on the proper drugs to take to the injured in Artsakh
(Karabagh). `The pogroms were horribly reminiscent of 1915. The Azeris
must be held accountable.'
While trying to get to Sissian on a cold and icy Christmas Eve, her
bus was stuck in the dark of night on the mountain pass with other
cars. Zory Balayan rescued the others, putting his life in danger in
the below 50-degree temperatures to transfer people into the
baroness's bus. `What a privilege to be of help,' she said modestly.
I told her afterwards, `God has taken much from the Armenians, but he
has given us you,' and she graciously thanked me. Baroness Cox has no
air of importance or superiority about her. She has even taken 8 of
her 10 grandchildren to Karabagh without fearing for their lives. She
has even climbed down to the pit of Khor Virab, where St. Gregory was
imprisoned for years. If each Armenian took the initiative to do
1/10th of what she does, how quickly we could advance justice!
She reminded the audience of HART's motto: `I cannot do everything,
but I must not do anything.'
The ARF presented HART with a very generous donation to carry on its
fine rehabilitation work.
It was when thirty fatigue clad Hamazkayin Arax Dance Ensemble youth
performed a spirited precision drill type dance called `Ariunod Trosh'
(bloody flag) with audible Hoo Ha's, the Armenian fighting spirit came
through clearly.
Adi Asadoorian represented the Armenian Youth Federation and gave an
encouraging account of how the youth intend to carry on the mantle of
their elders in the quest for justice.
A letter of support was read sent by Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow,
Reading of proclamation was accomplished by Ms. Anya Bieciuk
representing Gov. Rick Snyder, Klint Kesto state representative from
the 39th District was in attendance.
Co-chair Raffi Ourlian then read Mourad Topalian's biography,
describing him as a prominent member and political activist of the
Armenian community. Topalian was chairman of the ANCA and the
International Hye Tahd Committee for 12 years. He was awarded the
Freedom Award for his dedication to advancing the Armenian Cause. With
several master's degrees to his credit, Topalian has also taught
college level courses.
Mourad Topalian is a true and loyal patriot of Armenia and justice. He
says, `We don't have to ask for the genocide to be recognized by any
president. It was already done years ago. We know the genocide
happened, most of the world knows it happened.'
`Detroit, you stood by me during difficult times,' he said,
emotionally. `My daughter had cancer, but now is healthy and a college
student.' He quoted from the US Constitution, Abraham Lincoln, and
Patrick Henry: `Give me liberty or give me death.'
`The killers took everything we own. They took our farms, our lands,
our businesses, our orchards, raped our girls, went on a killing
rampage, sent us into the desert barefooted, naked, and starving. They
destroyed our villages. We want reparations, we want restitution, we
want our lands, we want our bank accounts, we want justice! We want
what is ours!' He spoke of Simon Vratzian, saying our martyrs did not
die needlessly.
Topalian is passionate man who leads the way with his knowledge of the
Armenian situation and how things work in Washington. He had access to
the White House, Congress, and the powers to be. He remains an
outspoken humanitarian for Armenian justice. Can each of us not give
him our backing, can we not give a little more of ourselves when we
have to stand up now, more than ever before, for Armenian rights and
our martyrs?
`We the diaspora have to be the second army,' he said. `There are 80
million Turks. They fear the diaspora. A recent poll taken in Turkey
showed 80 percent of them hate Americans, and yet we allow them to
build over 200 charter schools here in our country. What is our nation
thinking? They are out to eliminate every one of us, you and me.'
`Return our churches,' he continued. `More than 2,500 churches were
turned into stables or barracks or were otherwise destroyed. Where are
the American principles? We must do more, get angry. We seek nothing
more than what is ours, the restoration of our homes, lands, farms,
our dignity, and churches. Where are American principles concerning
Armenians?' He added, `Our dreams were written on the blood of the
Lisbon Five and others.' Topalian, like many, still carries on his
shoulders the weight of the Armenian Genocide. He is a man on a
mission. Many of us in the audience had attended a Mid-West conference
in the late 1950's in his hometown of Cleveland, where his family,
with roots in Malatya, were working on the Armenian Cause.
The evening concluded to standing ovations with the speakers being
thronged by a congratulatory crowd.
The commemorative committee consisted of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Relief Society, ANCA
of Michigan, Armenian Community Center, Homenetmen of Detroit,
Hamazkayin Arm. Ed. & Cultural Society, St.Sarkis Armenian Apostolic
Church, Armenian Congregational Church, and St. Vartan Armenian
Catholic church.
Benediction was given by Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian and Badveli Rev. Dr.
Vahan Tootikian.
An afterglow was held at George's Senate Coney Island in Northville
where guests were hosted to convivial conversation and a marvelous
buffet dinner.
In recent years the Detroit Armenian community has returned to its
former strength and greatness under youthful leadership injecting new
life into the spirit established by the survivor generation. The
committee is to be commended for providing the community with an
exceptional evening. Comments from supporters were nothing but
positive.
By Betty Apigian-Kessel
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/05/14/baroness-caroline-cox-and-mourad-topalian-a-detroit-evening-written-in-gold/
May 14, 2013
It was a powerhouse event featuring a dynamic duo, ANCA Eastern Region
Freedom Award winners Baroness Caroline Cox and firebrand national
community leader Mourad Topalian who willingly electrified an overflow
crowd of 400 people on the evening of April 27 at Livonia Stevenson
High School. The stellar evening was presented with the cooperation of
the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Greater Detroit.
A beautiful sight was the Homenetmen presentation of the United States
flag, the Armenian tri-color, and the Michigan state and Artsakh flags
during the singing of the national anthems, and the AYF singing of the
National Anthems (with Helen Mempreian Movsesianon playing the piano).
The youth actively participated in the event.
As co-chair Michael Hagopian indicated, `We are here to commemorate
the 98th year of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 perpetrated by the
Ottoman Empire and still denied by the present-day Turkish government
regardless of positive proof to the opposite. Our martyrs say don't
mourn us avenge us, and our youth must start taking the lead. All
Armenians lost loved ones.' To the Turkish state Hagopian said
emphatically, `We are here and we are here to stay.'
Hagopian introduced the keynote speaker Baroness Caroline Cox.
Baroness Cox is like Eleanor Roosevelt and Mother Theresa rolled into
one. Mourad Topalian is reminiscent of Detroit's late Hagop Mouradian
and Arthur Giragosian of Providence, who with their fiery oratory
could shake the very foundation of any venue. No better compliment
could be given to any man and when told this Mourad showed a broad
smile, knowing he was in great company. Together, Baroness Cox and
Topalian gave the Metro Detroit audience an evening to remember - one
that rallied them to become more involved in the fight for Armenian
justice, and awakened them to the existing danger by the growing bully
strength of present-day Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Baroness Cox was accompanied by good friends and area residents Robert
and Gayane Kachadourian. She greeted the audience with `Parev tsez,'
and spoke of her `tribute to a Nation whose people not only survive
but create beauty from the ashes of destruction.' She has made 78
remarkable visits to Armenia and Karabagh, strongly believing in the
right to self-determination of the Armenians of Karabagh. She is the
chair of the British Armenia All-Party Parliamentary Group.
When I asked her how to properly address her, she replied in a down to
earth manner, `Call me by my Christian name, Caroline.' She endeared
herself to all by being involved in the rehabilitation of the disabled
through the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART), which has become an
internationally recognized `Center of Excellence.'
She told her horror stories of the Karabagh War and bombed out homes,
of families hiding in basements with no light or heat, of children
being born in basements, but said their spirit always carried them
through ordeals valiantly. She told of a lack of medication and legs
amputated without the aid of anesthesia, and how she loaded up in
London on the proper drugs to take to the injured in Artsakh
(Karabagh). `The pogroms were horribly reminiscent of 1915. The Azeris
must be held accountable.'
While trying to get to Sissian on a cold and icy Christmas Eve, her
bus was stuck in the dark of night on the mountain pass with other
cars. Zory Balayan rescued the others, putting his life in danger in
the below 50-degree temperatures to transfer people into the
baroness's bus. `What a privilege to be of help,' she said modestly.
I told her afterwards, `God has taken much from the Armenians, but he
has given us you,' and she graciously thanked me. Baroness Cox has no
air of importance or superiority about her. She has even taken 8 of
her 10 grandchildren to Karabagh without fearing for their lives. She
has even climbed down to the pit of Khor Virab, where St. Gregory was
imprisoned for years. If each Armenian took the initiative to do
1/10th of what she does, how quickly we could advance justice!
She reminded the audience of HART's motto: `I cannot do everything,
but I must not do anything.'
The ARF presented HART with a very generous donation to carry on its
fine rehabilitation work.
It was when thirty fatigue clad Hamazkayin Arax Dance Ensemble youth
performed a spirited precision drill type dance called `Ariunod Trosh'
(bloody flag) with audible Hoo Ha's, the Armenian fighting spirit came
through clearly.
Adi Asadoorian represented the Armenian Youth Federation and gave an
encouraging account of how the youth intend to carry on the mantle of
their elders in the quest for justice.
A letter of support was read sent by Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow,
Reading of proclamation was accomplished by Ms. Anya Bieciuk
representing Gov. Rick Snyder, Klint Kesto state representative from
the 39th District was in attendance.
Co-chair Raffi Ourlian then read Mourad Topalian's biography,
describing him as a prominent member and political activist of the
Armenian community. Topalian was chairman of the ANCA and the
International Hye Tahd Committee for 12 years. He was awarded the
Freedom Award for his dedication to advancing the Armenian Cause. With
several master's degrees to his credit, Topalian has also taught
college level courses.
Mourad Topalian is a true and loyal patriot of Armenia and justice. He
says, `We don't have to ask for the genocide to be recognized by any
president. It was already done years ago. We know the genocide
happened, most of the world knows it happened.'
`Detroit, you stood by me during difficult times,' he said,
emotionally. `My daughter had cancer, but now is healthy and a college
student.' He quoted from the US Constitution, Abraham Lincoln, and
Patrick Henry: `Give me liberty or give me death.'
`The killers took everything we own. They took our farms, our lands,
our businesses, our orchards, raped our girls, went on a killing
rampage, sent us into the desert barefooted, naked, and starving. They
destroyed our villages. We want reparations, we want restitution, we
want our lands, we want our bank accounts, we want justice! We want
what is ours!' He spoke of Simon Vratzian, saying our martyrs did not
die needlessly.
Topalian is passionate man who leads the way with his knowledge of the
Armenian situation and how things work in Washington. He had access to
the White House, Congress, and the powers to be. He remains an
outspoken humanitarian for Armenian justice. Can each of us not give
him our backing, can we not give a little more of ourselves when we
have to stand up now, more than ever before, for Armenian rights and
our martyrs?
`We the diaspora have to be the second army,' he said. `There are 80
million Turks. They fear the diaspora. A recent poll taken in Turkey
showed 80 percent of them hate Americans, and yet we allow them to
build over 200 charter schools here in our country. What is our nation
thinking? They are out to eliminate every one of us, you and me.'
`Return our churches,' he continued. `More than 2,500 churches were
turned into stables or barracks or were otherwise destroyed. Where are
the American principles? We must do more, get angry. We seek nothing
more than what is ours, the restoration of our homes, lands, farms,
our dignity, and churches. Where are American principles concerning
Armenians?' He added, `Our dreams were written on the blood of the
Lisbon Five and others.' Topalian, like many, still carries on his
shoulders the weight of the Armenian Genocide. He is a man on a
mission. Many of us in the audience had attended a Mid-West conference
in the late 1950's in his hometown of Cleveland, where his family,
with roots in Malatya, were working on the Armenian Cause.
The evening concluded to standing ovations with the speakers being
thronged by a congratulatory crowd.
The commemorative committee consisted of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, Armenian Youth Federation, Armenian Relief Society, ANCA
of Michigan, Armenian Community Center, Homenetmen of Detroit,
Hamazkayin Arm. Ed. & Cultural Society, St.Sarkis Armenian Apostolic
Church, Armenian Congregational Church, and St. Vartan Armenian
Catholic church.
Benediction was given by Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian and Badveli Rev. Dr.
Vahan Tootikian.
An afterglow was held at George's Senate Coney Island in Northville
where guests were hosted to convivial conversation and a marvelous
buffet dinner.
In recent years the Detroit Armenian community has returned to its
former strength and greatness under youthful leadership injecting new
life into the spirit established by the survivor generation. The
committee is to be commended for providing the community with an
exceptional evening. Comments from supporters were nothing but
positive.