Committee of Orange County (ANC OC) hosted its first annual “Walk for
Remembrance” in honor of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.
The event was organized in collaboration with Saint Mary Armenian Apostolic
Church and Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church.
“We would like to especially thank the Armenian Youth Federation, the A.R.F.
Badanees, the Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO), H.M.E.M., the
Armenian Relief Society’s (ARS) Sevan & Karni Chapters, the Forty Martyrs
Board of Trustees, the Saint Mary Parish Council, the Saint Mary Ladies
Society, the Forty Martyrs Ladies Auxiliary, Hamazkayin and all of the
participating organizations without whom the walk would never have become a
reality,” said Lucy Der Yeghiaian, Chairwoman of the ANC OC.
Over 20 organizations from Orange County participated in raising funds and
awareness for Armenian Genocide Education. The proceeds from the walk will
be used to support the efforts of the ANCA in Washington D.C., to purchase
materials for the public school systems in Orange County on the Armenian
Genocide and to support the community efforts of all 20 participating
organizations.
The walk began at Saint Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Costa Mesa, CA.
Father Moushegh Tashjian and Father Hrant Yeretzian performed a joint
Badarak joining together the parishes of both Saint Mary & Forty Martyrs
Armenian Churches. It was the first step in a day filled with unity among all
members of Orange County’s Armenian Community.
The greater than 300 participants in the Walk for Remembrance joined
together in prayer prior to beginning their journey. The 8-mile walk then
proceeded down 22nd Street to Harbor Boulevard where it turned north toward
Forty Martyrs Armenian Church.
The line of marchers stretched for over half a mile along Harbor Boulevard
carrying banners with the Walk for Remembrance logo and “Remember the
Armenian Genocide”. ANC OC Police Liaison and Executive Board Member
Chris Guldjian had arranged for police escorts by the Costa Mesa Police
Department along the busiest parts of Harbor Boulevard to ensure the safety
of all who participated. Chris, along with group leaders Garo Kelejian & Tro
Tutunjian worked with their monitors to keep all participants safe and organized.
Der Yeghiayan and ANC OC Executive Board Member Nairy Cherchian worked
with the members of the Churches’ Ladies auxiliaries and the ARS Sevan
Chapter to provide food, water and refreshments at both Saint Mary Armenian
Church prior to departure and for the 500 people who attended the program
and at Forty Martyrs church upon arrival.
In a strong symbol of unity the marchers were met by more members of the
Armenian Community at Mile Square Park on Euclid Street. The group included
young students from the Ari Guiragos Armenian School and elderly members
of Orange County’s Armenian Community determined to support the marchers
along the “Last Mile”.
In a heartwarming scene the Last Mile was led by Father Moushegh Tashjian
and Father Hrant Yeretzian into the Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church,
with the Armenian and American flags waving behind them and over 300
supporters marching in stride to honor the memories of those 1.5 million
victims lost during the genocide.
The marchers met with tremendous applause upon their arrival at Forty
Martyrs. Over 200 people had shown up to show their support for the more
than 300 who had made the 8-mile journey. The marchers received lahmajeun,
tahn, water and other refreshments before starting the formal program.
The program was led by ANC OC Executive Board member Ara Malazian who
thanked all who made the historic 8-mile walk. Special thanks went out to the
parish priests and leadership of both Churches for their efforts to unite the
community for this event.
Father Moushegh Tashjian spoke on behalf of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
In his speech he emphasized how the Armenian Genocide has touched the
lives of every Armenian and about the importance of honoring our heritage
and our culture.
Meline Merjian read a stirring poem written by Tamar Kesoyan about the
strength of an Armenian woman and her determination to free Artshakh for
future generations.
ARF Orange County Badanegan “Aghpiur Serop” Chapter Executive Member
Nora Gourdikian read a tremendous speech that included a posthumous letter
to Hrant Dink. In the letter she asked Hrant Dink to embrace those who had
been sacrificed before him and to let them know that they had not been
forgotten and that the fight for justice continues.
Saint Mary’s ACYO representative Aret Aranian thanked all who participated in
the Walk for Remembrance and expressed his desire to see this be the first of
many community-wide events that would bring the Orange County community
closer together.
Speaking on behalf of the ANC OC, Carin Sarkissian addressed those
gathered in Armenian and English. In her moving speech, Carin talked about
how those who marched into the deserts of Der Zor 92 years ago did so not by
choice, yet they did so united just as the volunteers had done during the Walk
for Remembrance. She reminded all of those present that there is strength
through cooperation.
The Mayor of the City of Brea, Marty Simonoff, addressed the crowd about the
importance of cooperation and participation on both the political and activist
level for the coming generation.
Keynote speaker Raffi Hamparian from the Armenian National Committee of
America-Western Region Board gave a powerful speech about the challenges
we are facing today. He talked about how a small group of Turks had gathered
at the White House to deny the Armenian Genocide and had shirts printed that
mocked Armenia & all Armenians. Hamparian talked about the importance of
the current Armenian Genocide resolution, House Resolution 106. In
addressing the absurdity of Turkish government efforts to open a “debate” on
the Armenian Genocide, Hamparian noted that the Cancer Society does not
debate with the tobacco industry as to whether or not smoking causes cancer;
the Jewish Community doesn’t sit down with Neo-Nazi’s to discuss the
Holocaust, and that the Armenian Genocide is not a topic for debate, it is
historic fact.
The program concluded with a Hokehankist performed by Father Moushegh
Tashjian and Father Hrant Yeretzian in honor of the 1.5 million victims of the
Armenian Genocide. As the marchers began boarding the shuttles back to St.
Mary Armenian Church, the remaining attendees joined together to sing the
Armenian National Anthem “Mer Hayrenik” as the sun set and a light rain
began to fall.
