HAVERHILL, Mass.—The Armenian tricolor will not be flying this year from the flagpole at City Hall, same as it has for decades upon end. Instead, it will take a more humble place inside the municipal building, away from vehicular traffic—and for good reason this year.
The American flag will be flown at half-mast at a memorial tribute to the 3 dead and more than 180 injured in the Boston Marathon twin-bombings.
Standard protocol replaces sentiment in this case. “No other flag can fly higher than the American flag,” said Mayor James Fiorentini. “We will place the Armenian tricolor inside our building this year and it will greet anyone coming inside City Hall. The tragedy faced by victims and their families in Boston reminds us somewhat of the violence which the Armenians endured in 1915 on a smaller scale. There is no tolerance for violence anywhere in the world. Justice must prevail.”
Armenians gathered around the khatchkar at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church on April 16 where Rev. Vart Gyozalyan led a memorial service, joined by clergy from other churches around the city.
Last year during a similar format, pastors brought the genocide story to their various congregations, thus reaching a wider audience.
“Much too often, we preach to our own people who have heard the stories time and again,” he said. “We’re all brothers in Christ, regardless of our Christian affiliations. Sharing this history with others who may be less familiar with it is extremely important. We learn from one another.”
The clergy also took part in a proclamation ceremony and reception inside the mayor’s office following the religious service. Attending the ceremony was Sven Amirian, a former city councilor and now president of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. He is also a grandson of genocide survivors.
Mayor Fiorentini praised Haverhill Armenians for remaining a tangible part of his community. He paid particular note to a 98-year quest toward recognition and the manner in which Armenians have clung tenaciously to their culture and heritage.
“The commemoration of this terrible plight on humanity at the hands of the Ottoman-Turkish Empire must never be forgotten,” he said. “It serves to remind free people everywhere that peace and freedom from oppression should not be accepted in a casual manner.”
The proclamation was read during a City Council meeting, which was televised by Haverhill Community Television.
Organizing the observance was Barbara Arthur, a city employee and choir member.
Tom Vartabedian
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