Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian with 43rd Navasartian Honorary chair, Mr. and Mrs. .Hamlet and Greta Chraghchian (left) and the 2018 Exemplary Homenetmen member Koko Balian and his wife Armine
BEVERLY HILLS—Homenetmen Western Region’s 43rd Navasartian Games Victory Banquet was held on Sunday, July 1, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. The event served as a prime occasion to celebrate the organization’s vast work and activities.
Honorary Presidents of the 43rd Navasartian Games, Mr. and Mrs. Hamlet and Greta Chraghchian, as well as this year’s Exemplary Homenetmen Member Koko Balian, praised the organization’s work in their speeches and paid special mention to the dedicated volunteers carrying Homenetmen’s mission forward.
Guests in attendance included His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Consul Armela Shakarian, elected officials, Homenetmen Central Executive member Vicken Tavitian, Regional Executive Members, benefactors, members, and supporters.
Past Homenetmen Navasartian Games Honorary chairs join Mr. and Mrs. Hamlet and Greta Chraghchian who helmed this year’s event
The event’s official program began with a flag ceremony by Homenetmen scouts, followed by the singing of anthems by Ivana Krikorian.
During the invocation, Archbishop Mardirossian commended the work of the 100-year-old organization and its volunteers and blessed the tables.
Homenetmen Western Region’s 43rd Navasartian Games Victory Banquet in Beverly Hills.
Master of Ceremonies Charlie Ghailian delivered welcoming remarks and recognized the official guests in attendance, including Honorary Presidents and Exemplary Homenetmen Members from years past. He paid special mention to the fact that the event allows the opportunity to not only pay respect to the current Honorary President and Exemplary Homenetmen Member, but also the organization’s countless volunteers — be they executive members or members of various committees. Ghailian informed that the Victory Banquet’s sponsors are well-known community members and benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Varant and Hoori Melkonian.
Following the viewing of a short video depicting the 100-year history of the organization, Regional Executive Chairperson Manuel Marselian addressed guests. He explained that — 50 years ago in Los Angeles — a group of individuals had the vision of integrating Homenetmen into the fabric of society, the result of which became the region’s current 19 chapters and 6,500 members.
The capacity crowd at the Navasartian Victory Banquet
Marselian noted that this year marks Homenetmen’s centennial and stated, “In remembering the past, we appreciate the fact that, in order to survive, it is imperative that the organization continues to grow.â€
