Cranston Hosts Annual ANC-RI Flag-raising Ceremony

The Homenetmen Scouts with the three singers as the flag is being raised at Cranston City Hall
Homenetmen Scouts with three singers as the flag is being raised at Cranston City Hall

CRANSTON, R.I.—On Thursday evening, April 21, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung welcomed members of the community to the City Hall Council Chambers. Fung served as the host to the annual Armenian National Committee (ANC) Rhode Island flag-raising ceremony in his city, which now boasts the largest Armenian population in the state.

Raffi Rachdouni served as the emcee for the evening and asked Der Hayr Kapriel Nazarian of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church to give the blessing. This was followed by three members of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) and Homenetmen, Cranston residents Taleen Donoyan, Anna-MarieDanayan, and Alysha Phillips, singing the American and Armenian national anthems.

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung presenting a citation to the ANC-RI Chair Ani Haroian
Cranston Mayor Allan Fung presenting a citation to ANC-RI Chair Ani Haroian

Longtime supporter and former elected official Aram Garabedian then spoke about the importance of keeping this flame burning as he directed his message to the Homenetmen scouts.

ANC-RI Chairperson Ani Haroian spoke of the recent struggles in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabagh),  the bravery displayed by the Armenian fighters, and how the youth in Rhode Island have taken their place in the struggle for justice as active members of the ANC-RI.

Ani Haroian speaking on behalf of the ANC-RI
Ani Haroian speaking on behalf of the ANC-RI

Taleen Donoyan of Cranston, who represented the youth and is an active member of the Providence AYF and Homenetmen chapters, gave a moving speech about the determination of her generation in continuing to struggle for what rightfully belongs to the Armenians in their ancestral lands, including Artsakh.

Taleen Donoyan, member of AYF and Homenetmen, speaking on behalf of Cranston youth
Taleen Donoyan, member of AYF and Homenetmen, speaking on behalf of Cranston youth

Mayor Fung then read the citations that were presented to this year’s  honorees: Roxanne Arzoomanian and John Takian. Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and State Senator Hanna Gallo also gave citations.

Mayor Fung presenting citation to John Takian, honoree
Mayor Fung presenting citation to John Takian, honoree

Archpriest Gomidas Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Church offered the closing prayer. The crowd then went outside for the raising of the Armenian flag by the honorees, with the Homenetmen Scouts serving as escorts while singing “Mer Hairenik.”

Mayor Fung presenting citation to Roxanne Arzoomanian, honoree
Mayor Fung presenting citation to Roxanne Arzoomanian, honoree
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Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

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