St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church of Charlotte, NC held church services followed by a requiem in memory of all those who perished during the Armenian Genocide.
Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan was the celebrant. A large attendance was present.
After the Badarak, held at St. John's Episcopal Church, a Madagh dinner was offered with a presentation by Mr. Jack Hagopian, and a musical program was held in the church hall.
Guest speakers included Mr. Alex Sardar of the Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council from Washington, DC and Mr. Aram Sarafian of the National Organization of Republican Armenians.
Both speakers enlightened many true facts about the genocide and called on their fellow Armenians to become more involved in the American political process so that the recognition of the Armenian genocide to be recognized is ensured.
They emphasized that, as Americans, they had the right to urge their representatives to support Armenian interests.
A musical program was presented by the youth group of the parish. Armenian selections were sung by Mr. Gagik Gasparian and his wife Gohar joining him later.
The commemorative event emerged as a solemn occasion for Charlotte Armenians to remember their martyrs.
Submitted by Haig V. Tegrarian for a release of the Armenian International Reporter (May 1, 1999)
Geoffrey and Deborah Hemengway, friends and supporters of the Armenians in Charlotte, sponsored another Orphan in Armenia as their way of remembering all those who perished in the Genocide -- by giving the possibility of a life to a child. Thank you, Geoffrey and Deborah, for your support.