With the leadership of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party Western United States Executive Committee, three Southern California branches of the SDHP; “Paramaz,” “Sapah-Gul” and “Arsen Gidur” chapters on Friday May 13th, jointly organized a night to honor individual members who have pioneered in service and dedication not only to the SDHP, but to the entire Armenian community.
The event which took place at the Armenian Educational Benevolent Union’s “Garo Soghanalian” Hall, was attended by various past and present members of the SDHP Central Committee, headed by Central Committee Chairman Mr. Setrak Ajemian, members of the Western U.S. Executive Committee, party leaders, community leaders, party members, friends and family. The master of ceremonies for the evening was SDHP Executive Committee member Thomas Yeterian who led the audience with the Party anthem and conveyed the Executive Committee’s welcoming remarks, thanking the organizers of the event, those in attendance and those being honored for their assiduous and selfless work towards the party, the Armenian nation and community.
SDHP Executive Committee member Lena Manoukian recited a passage written by the late Vahan Shoukasian for the Party’s 50th anniversary special publication of “Hunchak.” The passage conveyed the meaning and the need to keep alive the Hunchak ideology, and the sacrifice it intails towards the betterment of the community.
Former Central Committee member Mr. Dikran Sarafian continued with the night’s theme and expressed his admiration for the countless sacrifices the members of the party have made towards safe guarding not only the party ideology, but the Armenian culture and identity within Armenia as well as in the Diaspora.
Accompanied by SDHP Western US Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Vasken Khodanian and Committee member Mr. Guregh Mangerian, Mr. Sarafian presented a brief biography as the honorees were bestowed with a certificate and Party medal in appreciation for their respective devotion and service to the Party and the Armenian community.
On behalf of the 25 honorees, Mrs. Eugene Barsoumian, stated that “This day is memorable for us all, we are proud to be Hunchakian members, and will continue to make sacrifices towards the betterment of our community as a true Hunchak does, for as much as we can, for as long as we can. After all, we remain young, seeing as we are young at heart.”
The nights events concluded with the honorees singing Armenian patriotic song “Dour Tzerket Enger”, followed by a reception.
