“The banquet is a celebration of the accomplishments of the ANCA Eastern Region and a time to honor those that go above and beyond the call for truth, justice, and the principles of freedom so cherished by the Armenian American community,” explained 2009 Banquet Chairwoman Nairee Hagopian, who along with a team of volunteers spanning New York to Chicago, organized the gala evening.
Among those in the spotlight and honored during the event were New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who received the prestigious Freedom Award; internationally renowned lawyer Mark Geragos, Ohio Congressional Candidate David Krikorian and Community leaders Bedros Bandazian and Melanie Kerneklian, who jointly received the Vahan Cardashian Award. Also offering remarkss during the evening were ANCA Eastern Region Chairman Steve Mesrobian and ARF Central Committee Member George Aghjayan. His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and Armenian Missionary Association of America Executive Director Andrew Torigian led attendees in the opening and closing prayers.
At least two Armenian Greeks were among the guests, Dr. Anahid Mikirditsian from Boston, whose father came to the US from Kaisariane, Athens, and journalist Bedo (Petros) Demirjian also from Athens who’s working for the American Armenian Hairenik (Fatherland) Weekly newspaper, based in Boston. This year marks Hairenik’s 110th anniversary as it was established by refugees who came to Massachusetts after the massive massacres of 1894-1896 conducted against the Armenian people under the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid.
Mark Geragos explained to NEO’s Demetrios Rhompotis how he acquired his …Greek last name! “When my grandfather came to Ellis Island, the clerk told him to shorten his last name in order to make it more American-like. So, from Geragossian, he made it Geragos and thus he became …Greek!”
ANCA ER Chairman Steve Mesrobian, in his closing remarks, challenged attendees and supporters across the region to answer the question “have I done all that I can to help our Cause?” and urged all “to be ready to answer further calls to action. After all it is only with your support that we are able to defend Armenian rights, counter Turkish and Azerbaijani propaganda and programs, and pursue the cause of justice for the Armenian people.”
The annual banquet is organized to fund the educational efforts of the ANCA Eastern Region and encourage expanded Armenian American civic participation. As part of the banquet festivities, a silent auction was held which featured autographed memorabilia by Serj Tankian of Serjical Strike Records, Greg Mooradian, Executive Producer of Twilight, and Eli Manning, quarterback for the New York Giants.
Established in 1969, the Armenian Cultural Association of America (ACAA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that assists and supports impoverished people of Armenian origin; welfare institutions that aid those of Armenian origin; and educational and charitable organizations that encourage and develop the Armenian cultural heritage. The ACAA also aids students, authors, artists and researchers who are pursuing intellectual efforts in Armenian culture and education, and publishes educational, scientific and literary books that raise the educational, cultural and intellectual standards of the community. The ACAA sponsors projects both in the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora. It also serves as a repository of historic Armenian national documents and archives.
