Background
This is a two-part tale of two Armenian brothers from Detroit: the eldest Haigus during World War II and the youngest Hagop (Jack) during the Korean War. It is a story of the Tufenkjians, an immigrant Armenian family who came to America after the Armenian Genocide, and their offspring, who were born in the early 1920s. Two of the oldest of them found themselves of draft age in 1942 after Pearl Harbor.
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Hi Ned, I enjoyed reading this very interesting story… I’m glad that you took your time and write about this episode…
Great job Ned. A lot of heavy duty research went into this project. Abrees!
Nice article Ned, it was great conversing with you while you were putting it together. A few things I’d like to clarify in honor and remembrance of our grandparents, their names were Manase & Anoosh Tufenkjian.
I would also like to add that our father was one the premier drummers in the Detroit area. He was also fortunate to play and recorded with the likes of Art Madigan, Charlie Byrd Parker, Dave Brubeck, Oliver Nelson, Bobby Rodriguez, and Pancho and his Orchestra. If you followed jazz in the Detroit area (late1940’s thru 2008) you may have caught him playing at the Bluebird Inn, Bakers Keyboard Lounge, Cliff Bells or a private party.
Thank you, Aaron for sharing that extra bit of information about your father playing and recording with these well-known musicians.
WOW! This brouht back so many fond memories of my life in Detroit. I was born in 1924 in Highland Park. I celebrated my 100th year at the Armenian Festival in Ranch Mirage , CA
My Grandfather was a Village Traveling Priest in Sivas, Turkey. My mother was born in
Sarioglan Turkey witch is half way between Kaiseri and Sivas.
Wonderful story snd research details of Armenians and Detroit! My Dad, George Arakelian, knew the Tufenkjian family well as they lived on the next street from him. I came across two letters my Dad wrote Haigus in 1944, hoping they could meet in France or elsewhere on the European Front. The letters came back “Missing in Action”. The details of Haigus’ story in part two are tragic and sad. Dad remembers that event very well.