PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Guests at the 12th annual luncheon of the Philadelphia Armenian-American Veterans Association (PAAVA) heard about the reconstruction work in Iraq and received an update on the khatchkar (Armenian cross-stone) memorial—being built to commemorate the only known Armenian to have served in the Union Navy during the American Civil War.
The luncheon was held on Nov. 14 and drew an audience of 175 veterans, their spouses, the spouses of deceased veterans, and members of the Philadelphia community.
Kerry Kachejian, a retired colonel in the Army Reserves, was the keynote speaker of the event. Kachejian had recently returned from Iraq after serving for six years as a leading officer in the reconstruction operations of the Gulf Region Division (GRD).
In both his narration and slide presentation, Kachejian covered some of the events that had garnered headlines—sometimes with a different view—and some that never even made it in the headlines in this country. Although the GRD is working on behalf of Iraq and the Iraqi people, it has lost 35 personnel through ambushes, car bombs, and rocket fire. Sadly, he pointed out, four were very close friends.
A West Point graduate, Kachejian has served in the army for 28 years and holds the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star medals and the Combat Action Badge, and is Airborne and Ranger qualified. Currently, he is the director of homeland security at Raytheon. He is the author of SUVs Suck in Combat: The Rebuilding of Iraq During A Raging Insurgency, copies of which were available for sale and were signed by the author.
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Paul Sookiassian, who is responsible for uncovering much of the information about Katchadour Garabedian, the immigrant to America who joined the Union Navy in the Civil War, reported that work has now begun on the carving of the khatchkar that will be mounted on Garabedian’s grave. He indicated that the Memorial Fund is still open for tax-exempt donations. In addition to being the only known Armenian officer to have served in the Union Navy, Garabedian made his home in Philadelphia, upon his discharge, and became the first Armenian in the city.
Sandra Selverian, PAAVA’s founder and president, recounted the history of the organization, which began by honoring veterans from the St. Gregory the Illuminator Apostolic Church, but which quickly expanded to include veterans from the four other Philadelphia churches, now represented on PAAVA’s Board. The luncheon was held in the new Founders Hall of St. Gregory;s Church, where it all began. The other churches supporting PAAVA are: theArmenian Martyrs Congregational Church, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, St. Marks Armenian Catholic Church, and Sts. Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church.
The master of ceremonies was retired Master Sergeant Steven Hox who, having married into the Kuredjian family, is now a member of PAAVA and a member of St. Gregory’s Church, the host of this year’s luncheon.
As part of the program, Martin Gutchigian, an 88-year-old PAAVA member, led the singing of “America The Beautiful” at the beginning, and “God Bless America” at the end of the luncheon, as well as offering “Danny Boy” during the program. The song, he said, was always sung on board his ship during the Pacific war whenever a member of the crew was killed in action and his body confined to the sea.
The Colors were presented and retired by the Homenetmen Scouts Troop Number 15. The invocation was pronounced by Archpriest Nerses Manoogian of St. Gregory’s Church, and the benediction was offered by Rev. L. Nishan Bakalian, pastor of Armenian Martyr’s Church.
Those wishing to donate to the Khatchkar Fund, should send their tax-exempt contribution to: Richard Weinsheimer, Apt 15, 300 Ernest Way, Philadelphia, PA 19111, marking it “Garabedian Memorial.”
Next year’s PAAVA Luncheon will be held on Nov. 13.
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