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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.
The Armenian Reporter | November 22, 2008 7CommunityInaugural Homenetmen Massis Walkathon a great successEvent raises fundsfor future gymby Avo John KambourianProgram will featureentertainment,documentaries,and appearancesby communityrepresentativesby Silva SevlianLOS ANGELES – On ThanksgivingDay – Thursday, November27 – the Armenia Fund will give itsworldwide audience the opportunityto help build water pipelines, rebuildschools, and renovate healthcarefacilities in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakhby making donationsduring its 12-hour telethon.This year marks the 11th anniversaryof the telethon, a program thatLOS ANGELES – Rain, rain, goaway, come again another day.Even though it seemed the perfectsituation to utter these wordsduring the first annual HomenetmenMassis Walkathon – knownas the Friends of Massis Run/Walk– it sure didn’t seem that way on themorning of November 1.The walk began at precisely 9:45a.m. as scheduled. With over 180registered participants, the eventwas clearly a great success. WoodleyPark, in Van Nuys, served as thestarting point and finish line.“We would have had an evenbigger turnout were it not for therain, but we were still impressedand very pleased with the turnoutwe got,” says Katia Karageuzian,chairperson of the HomenetmenMassis Chapter Finance Committee.The rain did not seem to affectmuch, other than my photographyskills. All the participants, youngand old, athletes and parents, continuedat their own pace, withoutcomplaint.The runners were just reaching thefinish line when the rain began todie down. First to pass the finish linewas Harout Kahvejian. He wasfollowed by Sevan Terterian, AraHagopian, and Maral Bastilian.Prelate celebrates Divine Liturgy on 20th anniversary of FortyMartyrs ChurchThe Prelate and community leaders around the 20th-anniversary cake.Kahvejian, a former Homenetmenathlete who clearly looks likea professional runner, said he feltvery happy that he was able to bepart of an Armenian benefit eventof this type for the first time.Originally from Jordan, Kahvejianis a veteran of several marathons.Commenting on the execution ofthe Homenetmen Walkathon, hesaid it was one of the most wellplannedmarathon events he hasever participated in.Homenetmen Massis had somehelp from a professional, MartyBaer, whose organizational creditsinclude many past marathonsand the upcoming Las VegasMarathon. She says Homenetmenstands to gain considerablyby organizing or participating inhas encouraged pan-Armenian supportto create change back at home.The slogan of the 2008 telethon,“My Home, Armenia,” remindsArmenians across the globe thatthey have a home outside of theircurrent residence, said Sarkis Kotanjian,executive director of theArmenia Fund.“While we in the United Statesanxiously observe our savings andretirement accounts, people livingin Armenia’s and Karabakh’s remotevillages still lack access to clean water,healthcare, and basic staples oflife,” Maria Mehranian, chairpersonof the Armenia Fund, wrotesupporters in an emailed letter.“This leaves us with a moral obligationto continue donating to theArmenia Fund and delivering hopeto many whose lives lack the basicfundamentals of human dignity,”Mehranian continued.By rallying worldwide Armeniancommunities around infrastructure-buildingand community-revitalizationprojects, the ArmeniaFund also empowers every Armenianinvolved to have a stake in thefuture of Armenia and Karabakh,Kotanjian said.“The most important thing is thatwe are a pan-Armenian organization,”he continued. “Participation iswhat is most important for us. It canbe a dollar, it can be two dollars, itcan be thousands, it can be millions.Everyone participates [in the effortby contributing an] amount that heor she feels comfortable with.”This year, the Armenia Fund islaunching its “Dollar-A-Day” campaign,which encourages donors tomake a contribution of $365 – thatis to say, a dollar for each day of theyear to help with urgently-neededcommunity and infrastructureprojects.“[According to my] modest calculations,I put the number of Armenianfamilies in the United Statesfuture events like the Run/Walk,in terms of fundraising and widerpublic recognition.The walkathon was followed bya diverse cultural program. Theattendees enjoyed performancesby Hamazkayin Pasadena’s LoriDance Group, the Lilia DanceGroup, and Hye Katch Do, a localmixed martial arts dojo for bothadults and kids. Local band Visawas also scheduled to play at theevent, but could not perform dueto the rainy weather. Nevertheless,band members spent time withfans and signed copies of theirnew album, Eros.Several booths representinglocal physicians, medical organizations,and the ArmenianNurses Association, promotedat 270,000 – close to three peopleper family statistically – and if theydonate a dollar a day for a year, itcomes close to $100 million,” Kotanjiansaid.Aside from the support of thediaspora, the recent pledge of$30 million by 120 donors at theArmenia Fund Yerevan Gala set aprecedent of support in Armenia,Kotanjian said.In addition to honoring a numberof major donors, the telethonwill comprise appearances by representativesof numerous Armenianchurches, schools, and organizations.The program’s entertainmentsegments will feature Armenianperformers from Armenia and thediaspora including Arame, RazmikAmyan, Gagik Badalyan, Emmaand Aramo, Harout Hagopian,Helen, Arax Karapetyan, Martik,Gor Mkhitarian, Armen Movsisyan,Harout Pamboukjian,health and fitness while nursesstood ready to aid participants.There was also a food booth,where members of the HomenetmenMassis Social Committeesold fresh boreg, lahmajun, andtahn.Karageuzian said that since allthe expenses of the event were coveredby sponsors, the walkathonexceeded profit expectations.“We feel that we achieved ourgoal of raising awareness of theneeds and projects of our chapter,”says Karageuzian, referringto the gym which Massis planson building in the coming years.With more successes like theRun/ Walk, the chapter hopes tolaunch the project in the foreseeablefuture.SANTA ANA, Calif. – On Sunday,November 16, ArchbishopMoushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,celebrated the Divine Liturgyand delivered a sermon atForty Martyrs Church in OrangeCounty in honor of the 20th anniversaryof the consecration ofthe church.Assisting the Prelate at the altarwere Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumianand parish pastor Rev. Fr.Hrant Yeretzian.In his sermon, the Prelate paidtribute to all community memberswho have contributed to the establishmentof the church 20 years agoand “in doing so inspired cominggenerations,” he said.Archbishop Mardirossian concludedhis sermon by commendingand offering a prayer for the pastor,Board of Trustees, delegates, Ladies’Auxiliary, deacons, altar servers,and choir members.The service concluded with thePrelate’s benediction and the singingof “Giligia.”The 20th anniversary banquetof Forty Martyrs Church tookplace under the auspices of andwith the participation of the Prelateon the evening of Saturday,November 15, at the GugasianHall of the church.The event, which was organizedby the pastor, Board of Trustees,and Ladies’ Auxiliary, included remarks,an artistic program, a videopresentation, and a candle-lightingceremony. The Prelate conveyedhis congratulations and encouragementand wished the church manymore years of service to the community.connect:40manoug.orgArmenia Fund prepares for Thanksgiving Day telethonSako, Hovhannes Shahbazian,and Sonya Varoujian.Sevak Amroyan and HaykuhiBabakhanyan, winners of ShantTV’s 2007 and 2008 National SingerContest, respectively, will also beperforming live.In Southern California, the telethonwill air on ksci Channel 18from 8:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. PST.Around the world, the program willbe broadcast on H1-Armenian PublicTelevision.A hundred trained volunteersfrom various organizations willbe answering calls throughout thetelethon. Donations can also bemade online at armeniafund.org.An average of 250,000 peoplefrom across the globe participatein the telethon, Kotanjian said.To date, infrastructure-developmentand community-revitalizationprojects implemented by theArmenia Fund in Armenia andKarabakh total more than $120million, as reported by the organizationon its website.Included in this year’s multitudeof new and ongoing Armenia Fundprojects are the reconstruction ofthe Martuni Regional Hospital,renovation of the Askeran Citywater supply and sewage networks,and construction of the VaghuhasVillage (Martakert) School.The full list of current projects aswell as completed initiatives is postedon the organization’s website. connect:armeniafund.org
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