For Felix Gregorian, It’s Military Service Above Self

CHELMSFORD, Mass.—When Felix Gregorian decided to make the military his career, little did he realize that he would be deployed four times to hostile land and promoted to the rank of major.

Army Major Felix Gregorian continues to persevere in Afghanistan during his fourth tour of duty.
Army Major Felix Gregorian continues to persevere in Afghanistan during his fourth tour of duty.

But that’s the fate that has befallen this enamored soldier as he continues to give his time and energy to the country he loves.

As conditions continue to remain hostile in Afghanistan, Gregory bides his time fulfilling a mission that suits his destiny, while two military sons and a wife named Candace await his safe return home.

Yet, he’s taking it all in stride—a testament to his resilient ways.

“My family is very special to me,” he said. “They went to St. Gregory’s Armenian Church for years and got involved in the AYF. And, now, in their adult years, the spirit continues.”

Son Greg wrote about the Armenians at West Point Academy. A second son, Dro, wore the colors of Annapolis and topped his class at the Navy Squadron School in Colorado, where currently serves as a carrier pilot. He, too, has kept his Armenian heritage intact. The boys were honor students and athletes at Chelmsford High.

“I have sacrificed my personal time to look after my family,” he added. “Just like anything else, it does make a difference. Hopefully, our experiences have set an example for the children. That matters most to me.”

The official promotion to major came March 8 on a snowy, blizzard night after being appointed last August. Military protocol intervened and caused an agonizing wait for Gregorian.

A commander shook his hand during a ceremony and told him, “You are not a member of the United States Army anymore. By being a field grade officer, you are now the army.”

In a touching letter sent to friends at St. Gregory Church in North Andover, Gregorian said he was doing well in Afghanistan, despite the deployments.

“Work must go on,” he wrote. “Missions stay on track.”

Major Gregorian works with Afghan security forces and sometimes interfaces with Armenian contingents at camp.

“I speak Armenian, Farsi, and English in the course of a few minutes,” he noted. “Time goes by quickly. I am grateful for all your CARE packages.”

During a previous return home following a year’s tour, Gregorian thanked God and his family for his safety.

“As a soldier, you’re prepared to lose your life for a cause,” he said then. “I could have been taken out by the bad guys at any time. God is watching over me.”

Gregorian had undergone embedded tactical training with the Afghanistan National Army while assigned with the Army Reserve 108th Institutional Training Division. His job was teaching allied forces medical procedures.

He has spent 20 years with the military and hopes to continue his service with no specific timetable. He works as a respiratory therapist in civilian life and has volunteered as part of a medical team that treats children needing cardiac care in Africa.

Gregory Arabian, the commander of the Belmont AMVETS Post 2008, lauded his peer for his vast contributions to military service. Gregorian is a charter member of the post.

“This major promotion comes after his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan, where he is training Afghan security forces to take over the security mission of that distant country,” said Arabian. “Felix has a long and enviable record, both as a civilian and as a military officer.”

Major Gregorian immigrated to the United States from Iran and quickly developed a love and loyalty for his adopted land. He worked diligently in his military pursuits, rising from the enlisted ranks to an officer well received by his troops.

“Not only did he excel personally,” said Arabian, “he supported and encouraged his two children to serve the military. He has proven himself to be a model citizen and an outstanding member of the community, and makes his fellow troopers justifiably proud.”

Tom Vartabedian

Tom Vartabedian

Tom Vartabedian is a retired journalist with the Haverhill Gazette, where he spent 40 years as an award-winning writer and photographer. He has volunteered his services for the past 46 years as a columnist and correspondent with the Armenian Weekly, where his pet project was the publication of a special issue of the AYF Olympics each September.
Tom Vartabedian

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11 Comments

  1. Great article. I love to read about Armenians in the military. We
    do sacrifice a lot. Thank you for your service

    LSC Mike Jerikian
    US Navy

  2. God bless and protect ALL our brave men and women wearing the uniform and serving our country. Glad to see an article about our Armenian brother, Major Gregorian.
    Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Mahserejian
    US Army, Retired

    • Thank you LTC Mahserejian
      God Bless all of the Veterans and Service Members in The UNITED States of America.
      Thank you for your Service.
      MAJ Felix Gregorian, US Army Retired Combat Vet.

  3. Dear military Colleagues, I am overwhelmed by some off the news about whatever one does for Our Nation. It is our duty to find a way to serve and honor USA. I do apologies to acknowledge your inputs to the Armenian Weekly write up.
    I also do want to congratulate you and all the rest of our Armenian brothers and sisters, in all services for their proud service to our great country.
    I look forward to meeting each and every one of Armenian American Military Veterans, when such time arrives. Hope it is sooner than never.
    MAJ Felix Gregorian
    USA, USAR-Re-Inforcement Group

    • I am now a Retired MAJ since March 30 2015.
      Wishing you all a great life of service and Retirements with US Military.
      Maj G

  4. MAJ Gregorian is the real deal. I had the honor of serving with him during my last tour in Afghanistan. I’ve never met an individual that loves his country more. Felix always put the needs of our team members in front of his own and kept us in high spirits. I feel privileged to have served with him!!!

    • CPT James McGuineess, one incredible all heart and brave and mind of a very sharp Father, Husband, Son, Brother, and a Greta Military Service Member. I was fortunate to work with him and drive with him in many of our missions.
      All other soldiers from coalition Forces and Host Nation loved and respected this Young CPT, but well educated and experienced from service in USA, Germany, and now Afghanistan.
      James, is someone with passion, morals, and love for family and his country. It was absolutely a great honor to work by his side in the Same Team, Office, and in the same dangerous situations. Thank You for all you did for your teammates.
      Miss you CPT James McGuinness

  5. What is so incredible about our American military; is because it is just such a fantastic, privileged and honorable system. No matter how tough the going gets, everyone rises above and does their part, in fact, you would not find anyone that won’t criticize his duties or something about the military, yet they will continue to serve, watch for their buddies left and right and make our country proud. We are not just the United States Military, we are a force of good, shine and bring freedom to every corner of our world and celebrate what each and every one does in military, from the fueling of the aircrafts in distant places;(FARP) to communications, signals and computers, to security, construction of vertical and horizontal structures, mechanics, logistics (without which the efforts would not bare any fruits), ships in distant blue waters responding to typhoons and extreme weather, bring much needed help to people stranded and needing, food, water and blankets, artillery and air defense, patiently awaiting call fire mission, to respond, save and bring back our teammates safely, we build nations from ashes and fix world problems, and if anyone stands in front of us, they will only impede and slow down the process of spreading God’s gift to humanity, the American Freedom. Let me remind my friends in military I have been fortunate and so grateful to have had the honors of serving with great bunch of soldiers in our military, and sometimes with decent bunch of Coalition and NATO and host nation’s troops. God Bless America and our troops. Cause they are so many great individuals leaving behind their little daughter and sons and go into the sand box so they can help another nation to get out of tyranny and join the civilized world. That is what we bring to the table.
    thank you for your support.
    I will never forget my deployment life time friends.
    GOT FREEDOM!
    MAJ Gregorian, Somewhere in SWA AOR ISO OEF, SOCCENT FWD HQ

  6. Uncle Felix is a machine…he is my uncle my mom’s brother one of the strongest people I’ve ever met….Hey major I pray for you evsry night miss you love you can’t wait to dee you Candace dro and Greg again!!!!!!!

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