More Than 800 Attend Navasartian Victory Banquet

BEVERLY HILLS””More than 800 Homenetmen members and supporters gathered on Friday, July 3 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the 40th Navasartian Games Victory Banquet.

Guests in attendance included Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian; ARF Bureau Member Khatchig Mouradian; Homenetmen Central Executive members Hagop Tufenkjian and Vicken Tavitian; ARF Central Committee representative Dr. Viken Hovsepian; California State Assembly members Katcho Achadjian and Matt Dababneh; retired federal judge Dickran Tevrizian; City of Montebello Mayor Jack Hadjinian; Olympic Committee of Armenia member Albert Boyajian; Homenetmen Lebanon Regional Executive member and Lebanese Olympic Committee member Vatche Zadourian; representatives of sister organizations and numerous supporters.

The banquet commenced with the entrance of the Regional Executive’s marching band, which created enthusiasm among guests. Then, Homenetmen Ararat Chapter Scoutmaster Evana Grigorian sang the American, Armenian, and Homenetmen anthems.

Archbishop Mardirossian performed the invocation, conveyed his blessings, and commended Homenetmen for organizing the Navasartian Games.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Master of Ceremony Charlie Ghailian, who extended his heartfelt congratulations for the camaraderie of all chapters in attendance, the commitment of the Homenetmen Western Regional Executive and Central Executive, and this year’s honorees, including Exemplary Homenetmen Member Jirair Sarkissian and Honorary Presidents Varant and Hoori Melkonian.

“A century ago, two distinct group of men set in motion two very distinct set of plans. One plan called for the extermination of the Armenian nation. The other, for the preservation of the Armenian youth. One plan vowed to make extinct a culture of four millennia. The other vowed its youth would march toward their fifth. One plan would become known as the first genocide of the 20th century, that of the Armenian Genocide. The other in the ensuing years would become known as the Homenetmen organization. As one plan marched its victims to their death, the other continues to parade its youth to victory. Two distinct plans both originating from the same city with two very distinct objectives. We, here this evening 100 years later, are living testimony of a healthy, vibrant Armenian nation and of that plan which failed,”