[Editor’s Note: As the 98th anniversary of the massively tragic Armenian Genocide approaches on April 24, an exhibit honoring the martyrs of the Turkish onslaught remains on display in the lobby of the Montebello City Hall, 1600 W. Beverly Blvd. This story originally appeared in Montebello.]
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Mr. Hadjinian, with photo of his grandfather
Dateline Montebello – Their people were slaughtered by the hundreds of thousands nearly a century ago at the hands of Ottoman Turks who wanted to see them extinguished.
But survivors and descendants of the Armenian Genocide say that their hometown of Montebello has continuously helped give a voice to those who were brutally silenced.
Last Wednesday, Montebello city officials debuted an exhibit called the “The Ongoing Armenian Genocide: Death, Denial and Desecration” from the Armenian Library and Museum of America to commemorate the 98th anniversary of the tragic events.
The temporary display is in addition to the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument that was first unveiled in April 1968 at Bicknell Park.
“I have been a citizen and resident of Montebello for too many years,” said Levon Kirakosian, a member of the Armenian National Committee of America San Gabriel Valley Chapter. “I remember in 1968 when this council had the fortitude, strength and belief in justice and fairness to stand up against all odds … like they always have for justice and fairness.
“You have carried the legacy of your forefathers who were here before,” Mr. Kirakosian said to the council.
The exhibit demonstrates how, from 1915 through 1923, 1.5 million Armenians were systematically slain by the Ottoman Turks in what was then the Ottoman Empire. The Armenian community commemorates the genocide on April 24.
Especially touched by the display was Councilman Jack Hadjinian. His grandfather, Senekerim (Sam) Arakelian, was spared from the mass murders as a young boy, and he lived to be 98 years old.
“I am the grandchild of a genocide survivor,” Mr. Hadjinian said. “So this is not just a historical event. It is part of my family history. It is the common denominator for the Armenian history. These people fled to survive, and they had to start a new life again. America has been very promising and good to my people. “
According to Mr. Hadjinian, his grandfather was 13 years old when he witnessed the execution of his father and his uncle.
“My grandfather only survived because they gave the women and children a chance to live,” said Mr. Hadjinian. “At the time, two Turkish soldiers were debating whether he was a young boy or young man.
“If he was a young man, they would have killed him.”
At 16 years old, Sam Arakelian voluntarily joined the Battle of Sardarabad, which is credited with stopping the Ottoman advance into Armenia, as well as its destruction.
Still, he was not immune from other political movements that took him from Russia to Germany, where he and thousands of other displaced Armenians were forced into labor camps, including Funker Kaserne Camp.
After World War II, the family immigrated to America, eventually settling in Montebello in 1957.
“Montebello is where my grandfather and uncles were able to experience the American dream of ownership,” Mr. Hadjinian said.
Before his passing in 2000 when he was 98, Mr. Arakelian would weep while telling tales of the genocide, his grandson said. He regularly visited the monument.
“My uncle just passed away in February,” said Mr. Hadjinian. “He was the historian of our family. After losing my grandfather and uncle, it's like I have to carry on with the message and continue to seek justice in doing the right thing for the cause.”
While the vast majority of historians believe the mass killings of Armenians was the 20th century's first genocide, Turkey, a strong U.S. ally, long has denied there was a systematic campaign to kill Armenians.
Still, Armenians hope that will someday change.
“The importance of the exhibit is not only to call Turkey to task,” Mr. Kirakosian said.
“It's for education. It's to understand that we will never again allow this to happen. We have seen it in Darfur, in Rwanda and other places. We have to, as a people, say genocide is not just a crime against humanity. It's a crime against all of us. “
