Harry Kizirian's story began 95 years ago, on July 13, 1925, at 134 Chad Brown Street in Providence, Rhode Island. The first cry of this newborn baby was the sweetest sound to his parents' ears. Harry was the only son of Toros and Hripsime Kizirian—two Armenian refugees who were forced to leave their beloved land. Before settling in Rhode Island, Harry's mother was married and had many children, but her first husband and all her children were murdered in the Armenian Genocide. After all the pa
Or, subscribe now for unlimited access
By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.
Already a subscriber?Log in here
This story is FREE for you...
Create a free account to access this and four more articles, and get more sent to you with our e-newsletter.By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.
A few weeks before September 11, 2001, I had the very high honor of speaking to Mr. Kizirian. I did not know him, but I knew as much about his origins, youth and lifelong service as could be gleaned. I knew, and this needs to be noted: he won the Navy Cross.
Although I was not a Marine, or even a veteran, I was invited by a friend who was in 2001 to attend the Medal of Honor Society convention in Boston in October 2001. I called Mr. Kizirian to see if he would like for me, a west-coast Marashtze, to bring him and his family to the MOH convention as my guest.
.
By this time, he was unable to go. I did get to say a few things, most importantly to thank him and his comrades for our freedom and peace.
He stood d in the very front rank of our bravest and best. As we rush about erasing the memory of valor of our people, I insist we remember Harry Kizirian and all like him -another very famous Marine, also a Navy Cross recipient, Victor “Transport” Maghakian must be recalled too. And while we are at it, please remember Ernest der Vishian, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving the lives of his men at Cisterna by aggressive action.
Profiles of Armenian American soldiers from WWII, Korea and Vietnam are to be found in the great works of Richard Demirjian. They are “Triumph and Glory,” and “The Faces of Courage”
Wonderful tribute. An extraordinary man & a true hero. Thank you for my freedom. RIP Harry.
Thank you for this post, and keeping the memory of this incredible Armenian-American alive. Truly an inspiration and important bridge to so many things, not the least of which include Mr. Kizirian’s self-lessness, courage, devotion, and representation of both the Greatest Generation and the best of Armenian-Americans. May God rest his soul.
Dear John Dekhane, Last year I read an article written by you in this paper, about another Armenian-American hero. I personally would like to thank you for putting so much effort to bringing us some hidden stories about unknown braveries that these young men have endured. What a noble act. Please keep us informed. Thank you.
Thank you for this article John. Beautiful tribute to a great man and a true hero. Mr. Kizirian is an inspiration to all of us. May his soul rest in peace.
I always admired his accomplishments and character but was never aware of his life story. I grew up a block or two away from him…one of his children used to babysit me. Thank you for posting this story of a remarkable man!
I met Harry when he was the Postmaster, such a gracious, wonderful man. Always answered his own phone! Remember fondly the parties that he would have on 15 April at the post office, never closing until all mail had been stamped with 15 April! Still tell friends about him. Miss him.
Very Inspiring.Thank you
I had the pleasure to work for Mr Kizirian at the Providence Main Office for a few years before his retirement. He was a true leader and gentleman. I also had the pleasure to meet and work with his two sons Tommy and Richard. They two were great guys. It is nice to see after all these years his efforts still written about. Rest easy Harry.
Thank you for this wonderful article about our Uncle Harry. There is one correction to the biography. It is correct, that Uncle Harry‘s mother was married before marrying his father, but all of her children from her first marriage did not perish n the Genocide. Two of her daughters survived. One being my grandmother, Marinos Krikorian, or as Uncle Harry called her, “Kouyrig.” My grandmother and her family lived in Providence and my mother and her siblings were very close to Uncle Harry’ and his family. We all loved Uncle Harry dearly! Thank you for keeping his memory alive.
Thank you John for this inspiring and courageous story about Mr. Harry Kizirian!
And since we are on the subject of WWII, I wonder if Mr. Kizirian and my father in law Ara Odabachian from Detroit Michigan who was also stationed and fought on the island of Okinawa ever crossed paths. Thank God he also made it back. Unfortunately his brother Ararad was killed in Normandy on D-Day at the age of 21.
May God bless their soles!