PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—The 11th annual luncheon of the Philadelphia Armenian-American Veterans Association (PAAVA) on Nov. 8 to honor the area’s veterans was a somber observance in that it also marked the passing of one of its oldest and active member, Katchadoor “Kappy” Kapeghian, Jr., who died earlier this year.
Two-hundred members of the community, veterans, their spouses, and widows of PAAVA members attended the luncheon at the Holy Trinity Church. PAAVA enjoys the support of all five Armenian churches in the area, which are also represented on the PAAVA Board. In addition to Holy Trinity Church, where the lunches are held because its hall is the largest, the other churches are the Armenian Martyrs Congregational Church, St. Gregory Illuminator Church, St. Mark’s Catholic Church, and SS Sahag-Mesrob Church.
The tribute to “Kappy” Kapeghian included a showing of a 12-minute video of the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, where he was interred. He had served in the Air Force for 22 years, through World War II and Korea.
In her brief talk, PAAVA President Sandra Selverian spoke about Kapeghian’s burial at Arlington and called attention to other Armenians buried there, whose names were listed in the Souvenir Program. She noted that the list goes up to 1978. PAAVA, she said, is now seeking the names of Armenians buried there since 1978 in order to compile a “much-overdue list.”
She also indicated that the project to erect a khatchkar over the grave of the only Armenian to have served in the American Civil War was under way (and that tax-deductible contributions are still being accepted). Katchadoor Garabedian, a native of Constantinople, had come to the U.S. in the 1850’s, become a citizen, and enlisted in the Union Navy, serving as what was then an officer on board two ships that blockaded the Southern ports—first in the Atlantic and then in the Gulf of Mexico. Upon his discharge, in Philadelphia in 1865, he remained to became the first Armenian in the city.
Margie Tavakalian, of St. Gregory Church, served as mistress of ceremonies. The Invocation was offered by the Very Rev. Oshagan Gylgulian, of the SS Sahag-Mesrob Church, and the Benediction was given by the Very Rev. Armenag Bedrossian, of St. Mark’s Church. Next year’s luncheon will be on Sun., Nov. 14.
Details of Armenians buried at Arlington National Cemetery, and donations for the Garabedian Memorial Fund, should be sent to Richard Weinsheimer, Apt. 229, 300 Ernest Way, Philadelphia, PA 19111.
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