ARS Honors Veteran Members

By Rita Dilanian

DETROIT, Mich.—On Sun., Sept. 27, the ARS Mid-Council celebrated the Society’s veteran Detroit-area ARS members with an after-church luncheon at Lillian Arakelian Fellowship Hall. Over 70 friends and family members and ARS supporters attended the event.

This year marks the ARS’s 99th anniversary. At least four generations of women have made it possible for the organization to commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2010. Therefore, in the spirit of honoring the organization, the ARS paid tribute to those members in the Detroit area who have served the Society for 50 or more years. These ARS members represent the best of our past when we remember those who came before us and built our communities. They give our younger ARS members a sense of pride and give us confidence that the ARS’s goals and service to the Armenian people continues.

The blessing was offered by Rev. Fr. Daron Stepanian, the pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. ARS members Sona Derovakimian and Sona Mishigian performed the ARS anthem. Alice Pilibosian welcomed the gathering, noting the great work of the ARS and emphasizing the achievements of the honored members.

Cellist Suren Petrosyan, a PhD. candidate from Michigan State University, played a musical interlude of lovely Armenian selections. Several students—including Arev Van de Velde, Cecile Koceyan, and Alex Hrant Koceyan—from the ARS Zavarian Armenian One-Day School delighted the audience by showcasing their talent in recitations and song.

Ani Attar announced each of the 14 honorees and invited them to the podium to accept their special recognition. The members were escorted by the chairwoman of their ARS chapter and presented with an engraved certificate, denoting their years of service. The following outstanding women were recognized: Arpie Brajkovich, “Shakeh” Chapter; Mary Davidian, “Shakeh” Chapter; Kegouhe Derhovakimian, “Zabel” Chapter; Anna Koloian, “Sybille” Chapter; Rose Keghanoush Mooradian, “Sybille” Chapter; Meline Morukian, “Maro” Chapter; Mary Nranian, “Sybille” Chapter; Lusia Palanjian, “Shakeh” Chapter; Haigoohy Perkins, “Sybille” Chapter; Zarry Sarkisian, “Sybille” Chapter; Mannig Minnie Shoushanian, “Sybille” Chapter; Yn. Arpine Shrikian, “Maro” Chapter; Azaduhe Vartanian, “Sybille” Chapter; and Marie Yessaian, “Zabel” Chapter.

Congratulations are extended to this group of dedicated ARS members. We, who have many more years to serve the ARS, admire them and hope our years of service will be as fruitful and successful as theirs. We look forward to the ARS’s centennial year and hope other ARS members will join this illustrious honor roll.