For Immediate Release:
April 25, 2019

 

Bergen County Recognizes the Armenian Genocide

(Hackensack) – Yesterday, the County of Bergen held its annual ceremony recognizing the Armenian Genocide, which began on April 24, 1915 at the direction of leaders of the Ottoman Empire and resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children. The event was held at the Bergen County Armenian Genocide Memorial, which was one of the first memorials in the United States recognizing this tragedy when it was erected in 1990.  Included below are photographs of the event.

 

Lauren Shahdanian of Old Tappan leads the Pledge of Allegiance

 

John Lawrence Shahdanian II, Esq. offering opening remarks

 

Zareh Beylerian of the Knights of Vartan gives the memorial address

 

New Jersey Senator Joseph Lagana addresses the crowd

 

County Executive Jim Tedesco gives remarks

 

Seta Izmirliyan, Grand District Representative for the Daughters of Vartan, gives the keynote address

 

Prayer Service is offered by Reverend Father Diran Bohajian (St. Leon’s Armenian Church—Fair Lawn) & Reverend Father Hovnan Bozoian (St. Vartanantz Armenian Apostle Church, Ridgefield)

 

 

County Freeholder Vice Chair Mary Amoroso closes the program

 

Children sing as the Armenian Flag is raised

 

The Armenian Flag raised above the County Piazza