And for this we are thankful.... - Armenian Reporter

6 The Armenian Reporter | November 22, 2008CommunityTHIS ARMENIAN LIFEOf military service andcharacterby TamarKevonianAn avid motorcycle rider, Val hasbeen fascinated with motorcyclessince junior high school. He lovesto go on long rides, feeling the powerof the bike and the strength ofthe wind. He has owned motorcyclesfor the past two decades. Fouryears ago, he finally joined a motorcycleclub so he could share his passionwith like-minded people.“I got my first motorcycle in 1988,when I was in the service for twoyears, then I sold it,” he says, matter-of-factlyslipping in the informationabout his military service.“The next one I bought was six orseven years ago.”“What branch of the military?” Iask, surprised by this information.“U.S. Air Force.”“Were you a pilot?”“No, I wasn’t. I was a logisticsmanagementspecialist.” Val’s jobtitle was in keeping with the militarytradition of making everythingsound complicated.“What does that mean?” I ask,wanting to know more about hisjob description. He gives a littlelaugh.“Whatever we needed for thebase went through our squadron,”he explains. “Everything we needed:supplies, packing and shippingstuff, being ready for war, ammunition.Being ready all the time.”“When did you serve?”“I joined when I was 19. I was inthe service for about three years,”he says.Val is of average build, with aclean-shaved head and a very bitingsense of humor, even thoughmost of the time he’s the quietestperson in the group. He joinedthe Air Force on the suggestion ofhis uncle who, having lived in theUnited States for several decades,was familiar with the opportunitiesavailable through military service,particularly the GI Bill and thechance to travel and be away fromhome.“I was working on getting commissionedto become an officerand make a career out of it, but Ichanged my mind and stayed foronly three years,” he says with ahint of regret.Born in Iran, he was 18 when hearrived in the United States. It wasthe first time in many years that hisimmediate family was in the samecity and his desire for normalcyoverrode his youthful desire to flyaway. “My family’s been all over theplace for so long and it took us solong to get back together,” he says.“I just didn’t want to be away thatlong. We went back to being a normalfamily living in the same place.”Val truly enjoyed his time in themilitary, believing it was a goodexperience. It taught him to likeand appreciate the discipline, theclearly-defined duties, but particularlythe feeling of doing somethinggood. He describes it as “payingback to the country that took youin as opposed to sitting there onyour butt and demanding things,demanding your rights.”The lessons he learned in the service,in terms of discipline, management,and dealing with and supervisingpeople, have served him wellin civilian life. “It made me realizethat there’s more to personal lifethan what you’re interested in and[taught me] to be giving as opposedto constantly demanding things. [Ittaught me] to earn things,” he says.“Being in the service made me seethings from a different angle andwhat it takes to have what you have– to have what we have. The sacrificespeople make and the lives peopleput on the line, and that’s somethingthat most civilians don’t see.”Although Val didn’t see combatand stayed stateside – boot campin San Antonio, Texas; training inDenver, Colorado; and stationed inArkansas and California – he wisheshe could have stayed and wonderswhat would have happenedhad he did, especially now that severalfriends from that period of hislife are retiring from their militarycareers.“I normally don’t have regrets inlife,” he says. “I am who I am becauseof what happened in the past.I would’ve liked to have stayed. I’vealways been attracted to the militarylifestyle. Unfortunately I wasplanning to join law enforcementafterwards but that meant I wouldbe away from the family again - becauseof the line of work I was interestedin.”The ex-military man sees amarked difference in character betweenthose who have served theircountry and those who haven’t. Hebelieves those with military servicehave different aspirations and priorities;a different perspective onlife.“For example, I have a close friendwhose daughter served in Iraq,” heexplains. “She did two tours. Shejoined the army when she was 18.When you sit down and talk to her,it’s not like – I don’t know how toput it – an everyday girl you meetin town. She’s not interested inbrand names, shopping, and whatnot. She did what she had to do, gotan honorable discharge, and nowshe’s working towards finishing upher degree and getting on with herlife.” Val is not impressed by mostpeople, especially the young peoplehe sees sitting around him at thetrendy local restaurant dressed inthe latest designer fashions. He believesthey are more interested inmaterial things and what they canget from people as opposed to whatthey can accomplish on their own.“When I joined, people were saying,‘What? You’re going to jointhe military? Why?’ It wasn’t acommon thing.” Nowadays thereare more people who serve, inIraq and elsewhere, and there aremany of them he counts among hisfriends. “I have a friend who’s donefour tours,” he says. “He’s in theMarines. There’s a big difference incharacter, in what they’ve seen andwhat they’ve experienced – a betterappreciation of life because they’veseen the combat and they’ve seenthe death and all the destruction.They are the people in the forefront,protecting what we’re enjoyinghere everyday. And most peopledon’t see that.”Val’s military service has affectedhis worldview and he recommendsit for anybody who does not havea direction in life. “It’s a good wakeupcall to appreciate what you haveright now, because we tend to thinkthat we’re entitled to things as opposedto how we earn the right tohave those things,” he concludes. Let us know what’s on your mind.Write to us at letters@reporter.amStanding, from left, Sandra Hampar, Fr. Shnork Demirjian., Matt Matoesian, Audrey Hampar, Nora Hampar, ArmenHampar; seated, Steven Hampar and members of the Lulejian family.St. Peter Church 50th anniversaryevents culminate in gala banquetVAN NUYS, Calif. – On Saturday,November 8, the 50th AnniversaryCelebration Banquet of the St.Peter Armenian Apostolic Churchof Van Nuys was held at the agbuNazarian Center in Canoga Park,under the auspices of ArchbishopHovnan Derderian.The event marked the culminationof events celebrating the 50-year history of the St. Peter parishand the local Armenian community’ssupport of its church.The black-tie gala began with asocial hour, when guests mingledand enjoyed tray-passed appetizersand a buffet. The guests were thenescorted into the newly-renovatedNazarian Center, where candelabracenterpieces overflowing withMinister of DiasporaAffairs HranushHakobyan visits PrelacyLA CRESCENTA, Calif. – OnThursday, November 20, the Pralcyheld a reception in honor of Ms.Hranush Hakobyan, minister ofthe Republic of Armenia’s Ministerof Diaspora Affairs.Ms. Hakobyan arrived in Los Angeleson an official visit, seeking tobecome familiarized with the localArmenian community and its organizationsand institutions.The reception at the Prelacywas presided over by ArchbishopMoushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,and attended by church councilsand community members. “Year of ChristianEducation” lectureseries to conclude onNovember 25GLENDALE, Calif. – The Prelacy’s“Year of Christian Education”lecture series, held at variousparishes throughout the year, willroses and gold organza overlaysadorned the dining tables.The evening’s program, emceedby Tony and Eileen Keusseyan,commenced with Father ShnorkDemirjian’s invocation, followedby Armen Hampar’s welcome addressand Barkev Hamalian’s remarks.As an international dinnerwas served, the Continental Bandplayed several selections in thebackground.The evening continued with LevonKeshishian’s remarks andArchbishop Derderian’s benediction.Entertainer Hovig Krikoriantook the stage and performed inseveral languages, accompanied bythe Continental Band. The danceCommunity in briefconclude this month, the Prelacyannounced.The last lecture will take placeon Tuesday, November 25, at 7:30p.m., at St. Mary’s Church inGlendale.Titled “St. Nerses the Graceful’sLiterary Bequest to Spiritual Awakeningand Christian Education,”the lecture will be presented by Rev.Fr. Ardak Demirjian.The lecture will be followed byBible study led by Very Rev. Fr.Barthev Gulumian.Crescenta Valleyparish marks thirdanniversaryCRESCENTA VALLEY, Calif.–On Sunday, November 9, ArchbishopMoushegh Mardirossian,Prelate, celebrated the DivineLiturgy and delivered a sermon atthe Armenian Apostolic Church ofCrescenta Valley in honor of thethird anniversary of the local parish.The Prelate was assisted at thealtar by parish pastor Rev. Fr. ArdakDemirjian.Archbishop Mardirossian commendedthe pastor, delegates,floor was soon filled up and theguests danced away to the energeticbeats. The ambiance of the evening,as well as Mr. Hampar’s commentsthat the community nowhas an opportunity to ensure thechurch’s future viability by helpingeliminate its burdensome, 14-year-old reconstruction mortgage(which was necessitated by structuraldamage sustained during the1994 Northridge earthquake), inspiredmany of the guests to makedonations.The gala came to a close in thelate evening hours, with attendeeslingering in the foyer as theyenjoyed each other’s company andcommented on the night’s joyfulcelebration.Board of Trustees, Ladies’ Auxiliary,altar servers, choir members, andall volunteers for their hard workover the past three years and theprogress they have achieved thusfar. The Prelate also expressedhope for the parish to have its ownchurch in the near future.Following the service, a receptionwas held in the adjacent hall. Theevent was organized by the Ladies’Auxiliary.Westside AraratGuild to hold annualChristmas luncheonLOS ANGELES – The WestsideArarat Guild announced that itsannual Christmas luncheon willbe held on December 13 at theBeverly Hills Hotel.The event will begin with a“Cook’s Corner” at 11:00 a.m. andlunch will be served at 12:00 noon.The program will include a silentauction, holiday gifts, raffle prizes,and “a fun surprise,” organizers ofthe luncheon said.For reservations and information,contact Louise Arklin at (818)368-3463.