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(L-R) Second Secretary of the Armenian Embassy Nazeli Hambardzumyan, Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs John Heffern, Rev. Fr. Vartanes Kalajian, and Armenian Ambassador Tigran Sargsyan.
October 12, 2015
By Danielle Saroyan
Armenian Agenda Associate Editor
On Thursday, October 8th, the Embassy of Armenia to the United States hosted a reception in honor of Armenia’s 24th Independence Day. Over 100 people gathered at the embassy, including government officials from the U.S., Russia, Georgia, Poland, and Kazakhstan.
The reception began with the Armenian national anthem, Mer Hayrenik, and the American national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, followed by a speech from the Armenian Ambassador to the United States Tigran Sargsyan. Ambassador Sargsyan welcomed guests to the reception, including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. State Department John Heffern, Co-Chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Ambassador James Warlick, and famous Armenian singer Nune Yesayan.
Ambassador Sargsyan explained why the 24th Anniversary of Armenia’s Independence is one of the most important dates on the calendar. He said, “The Armenian nation survived, the Armenian nation became even stronger and more united. And now, one hundred years later, I stand here in front of you all as the Ambassador of an Independent Armenia to the United States and congratulate you on the occasion of the 24th Anniversary of Armenian Statehood.”
Ambassador Sargsyan went on to emphasize the continuous assistance and friendship of western partners, especially the United States. He then introduced DAS Heffern who spoke about his tenure as the United States Ambassador to Armenia from 2011-2014 and congratulated the Republic of Armenia on its 24th year of independence.
(L-R) NKR Representative Robert Avetisyan and his wife Elvina, Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, and former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans.
Following remarks, Ambassador Sargsyan presented medals of honor to two distinguished guests, Mr. Jirair Nishanian and Dr. Levon Avdoyan, on behalf of the Government of Armenia. Mr. Nishanian received the Medal of Gratitude, awarded for state, economic, social, scientific-technical, and public activities, as well as for major personal contribution, many years’ devotion, and fruitful activities aimed at promoting the spheres of health, education, and culture. Dr. Levon Avdoyan, Armenian and Georgian Area Specialist of the Library of Congress, received the Medal of Movses Khorenatsi for outstanding achievements in the spheres of culture, art, literature, education, social sciences, and sports.
“I want to conclude with expressing my confidence that our cause is just and through joint and coordinated efforts we – the citizens of Armenia and our brothers and sisters from Artsakh and from the Diaspora – will succeed in overcoming all the difficulties and challenges and will further strengthen our Motherland,” said Ambassador Sargsyan.
(L-R) Mr. and Mrs. Keshishian, Armenian Assembly Board Member Annie Totah, Counselor to the Kazakhstan Embassy Yerlan Kubashev, and Armenian Assembly Public Affairs Associate Danielle Saroyan.