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Armenians remember 1915 genocide
The Armenians of Massachusetts yesterday marked the 86th anniversary of the 1915 genocide, in which more than 1 million Armenians are believed to have been killed or led on forced marches to their deaths in the Syrian desert by the Turkish Army.
To this day, the Turkish government denies the genocide, saying that several hundred thousand Armenians died due to the hardships of war as the Turks put down an Armenian rebellion.
In a State House ceremony last week, the Armenian community recognized Boston Herald director of photography Garo Lachinian and reporter Jules Crittenden for their June 2000 coverage of the repatriation of the remains of Gen. Drastamat "Dro" Kanayan from Mount Auburn Cemetery to Armenia, and for their report on conditions in Armenia today.
Ruth Thomasian of Project SAVE also was recognized for her efforts to preserve historic Armenian photographs; and French Consul General Stephane Chmelewsky received the community's thanks for the French government's official recognition of the genocide, which also is officially recognized by Massachusetts.
Photo Caption: REMEMBRANCE: Alice Hovsepian of Chelsea pauses to reflect
while Victoria Jelalian of Watertown lights a candle for Armenian genocide
victims at St. Stephen's Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown yesterday.
Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News Archives