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20th Anniversary of Armenian Armed Forces Celebrated at the U.S. Central Command
20th Anniversary of Armenian Armed Forces Celebrated at the U.S. Central Command
Tampa, Florida – On February 1, 2012, a reception on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Armenia’s Armed Forces was organized at the US CENTCOM Coalition Coordination Center (CCC), Mac Dill Air Force Base.
US CENTCOM Officers
The event brought together high-ranking officers and civilian officials from more than sixty countries, including top US Armed Forces representatives of US CENTCOM.
Lieutenant Colonel A. Mkrtchyan, Armenian Armed Forces representative for US Central Command, delivered opening remarks and presented the Armenian army’s history.
In his turn, US Central Command Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Karl Horst extended his well wishes to Armenia’s Armed Forces, and highly appreciated the Armenian military contingent’s participation in the security and stability operations in Afghanistan.
Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, Pastor of St. Hagop Armenian Church in Pinellas Park, Florida offered remarks on the common strengths of Armenia’s Army and its partners based on protecting freedoms of religion, conscience and human rights.
Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, Visitng Pastor of St. Haroutiun Church in Orlando, offered the traditional prayer before meals and blessing for all who serve and protect in the armed forces.
Fr. Hovnan Demerjian and Lieutenant Colonel A. Mkrtchyan
Twenty years have passed from the memorable days when the Armed Forces of the newly-independent Republic of Armenia were created.
During those years the Armed Forces performed a multifold task. While in the process of creation, the Armed Forces both defended the Armenian borders and people, and had to combat and win a major war.
As of today, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia is actively involved in international military cooperation, including peacekeeping and stabilizing operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan. Armenia proudly accomplished the task, with US and Polish troops, in Iraq in 2008.
The Armenian Armed Forces will spare no effort to preserve peace and security for themselves and for its allies and partners around the world.
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NR#: 2012-002
Dr. Taner Akcam to Address the Second Annual Armenian Studies Symposium at the University of South Florida
Dr. Taner Akcam to Address the Second Annual Armenian Studies Symposium at the University of South Florida
Tampa, FL – Next month, the University of South Florida (USF) Holocaust & Genocide Studies Center (HGSC) will hold its Second Annual Armenian Studies Symposium. Prominent Turkish historian Dr. Taner Akcam will present the topic of Armenian Genocide denial within the context of Turkish national security policy and international relations. Dr. Akçam’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with USF faculty Steven C. Roach and Edward Kissi.
Dr. Taner Akçam is the Robert Aram, Marianne Kaloosdian and Stephen and Marion Mugar Chair in Armenian Genocide Studies at Clark University in Worcester, Massachussetts. He has authored dozens of books and articles on the topic of Armenian Genocide denial, Turkish politics and human rights. He also serves on the editorial board of “Genocide Studies & Prevention,” the official journal of the International Association of Genocide Scholars.
Recently, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in favor of Dr. Akcam in a case he brought before the court against the government of Turkey for charges filed against him under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, the same law that precipitated the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in 2009. The ECHR found that Article 301 violates the European Convention on Human Rights and runs counter to the values of freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Hrant Dink, Dr. Akcam and several journalists and academics in Turkey have been charged with “denigrating the Turkish nation” for speaking truthfully about the Armenian Genocide.
Everyone is invited on the afternoon of Friday, November 4, 2011 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm to attend the Symposium. It will be held in the USF Tampa Library’s Grace Allen Room (4th floor), and is free and open to the public.
For more information, please see the USF-HGSC website here.
* This story was updated on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 9:20 pm.
Florida Armenians Meet in Tampa with Armenian-American Community Leaders
Florida Armenians Meet in Tampa with Armenian-American Community Leaders
St. Hagop Prepares for Fourth Anniversary Consecration Dance
Tampa, FL – Last month, Florida Armenians representatives Arsine Kaloustian-Rosenthal and Taniel Koushakjian traveled to Tampa to meet with various Armenian-American community leaders. The Tampa/St. Petersburg area is home to approximately 3,000 Armenian-Americans throughout the year, and even more during winter months. The community is centered around St. Hagop Armenian Church, established in Pinellas Park in 1985, and consecrated on October 14, 2007, by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.
Community leaders from various ages and professions gathered to discuss issues important to the Florida Armenian-American community. From the Armenian homeland, to issues affecting Armenian-Americans, from youth issues to the importance of our faith, everyone was engaged in a lively discussion. In addition, plans for Florida Armenians and upcoming events and activities were shared and embraced by all the participants. Guests were especially pleased to be joined by Fr. Hovnan Demerdjian, Pastor at St. Hagop and his lovely wife Anna. Fr. Hovnan provided the blessing.
Tampa Armenians
“By discussing various issues that concern us in an open forum, the miles between us suddenly mattered much less,” stated Florida Armenians Communications Director Arsine Kaloustian-Rosenthal. “We were able to sit, not only as members of a Tampa church, a Boca Raton church, or an Orlando church, but as members of the Armenian-American Diaspora. We look forward to continuing these “town hall” style meetings in various Armenian communities throughout the state of Florida,” Kaloustian-Rosenthal said.
Participants also discussed plans for the upcoming fourth anniversary consecration dance, which will be held at St. Hagop Armenian Church on Saturday, October 15. Members from across the state-wide Florida Armenian-American community are encouraged to attend and support St. Hagop Armenian Church.
“We were delighted to meet the organizers of Florida Armenians and we are excited about their vision for the future of our community,” stated Alex Oganesova, Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYOA) Chair at St. Hagop. “We are especially excited about our upcoming 4th Anniversary Consecration Dance and encourage all Florida Armenians to join us,” concluded Oganesova.
Florida Armenians 