A legacy from generation to generation

Growing up in Buffalo, New York as the third son of Armenian immigrants to the United States, it was difficult to maintain Armenian culture and traditions. At the time, there were approximately 20 Armenian families in the city, along with about 10 single Armenian men who were middle-aged or older. With no Armenian church in Buffalo, I was baptized by an Armenian priest from New York City who made annual visits to communities without one. 

In our household, Armenian was the primary language, with English spoken occasionally. When my parents did not want us to understand what they were talking about, they spoke Turkish. My father instilled in us a deep pride in being Armenian. He would read aloud from a large Armenian-language history book he had brought with him to America. He made us proud of our Armenian heritage.