LAS VEGAS—On Saturday, November 14, Armenians from Las Vegas and beyond gathered at Sunset Park for the unveiling and dedication of a monument that pays tribute to the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.
The monument project was erected by the initiative of the Armenian-American Cultural Society (AACS) of Las Vegas, with the participation of all Las Vegas Armenian churches and organizations, and by the approval of the Clark County Commission.
In her opening remarks, Master of Ceremonies Lenna Hovanessian described the AACS initiative and efforts to bring this project to fruition, which was originally conceived almost 10 years ago. She then invited Western Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, to deliver the invocation and their message. The Archbishops asked the guests to rise in observance of a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris a day earlier.
Valery Mkrtumian, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, conveyed his message and congratulated the Armenian-American community of Las Vegas for their collective efforts in achieving this dream.
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Las Vegas, Adroushan Andy Armenian said, “Today the Armenian-American community in Las Vegas is donating this memorial monument at Sunset Park to the people of Southern Nevada so that new generations remember the tragic history in order not to repeat such terrible acts in the future.”
Additionally, all major Middle Eastern churches were represented by their respective clergy.
At the conclusion of the official program, MC Lenna Hovanessian asked the clergy, dignitaries, and the public to follow the procession led by Homenetmen flag bearers to the monument site.
Clark County Commissioner Scow, Congressman Dr. Joe Heck and Congresswoman Diana Titus accompanied Archbishops Derderian and Mardirossian and the AACS Board of Directors in unveiling the boulder that contained the memorial plaque which reads;
“The Las Vegas Valley has offered hope and opportunity to those seeking to begin new lives. This memorial is a gift to the people of southern Nevada from the Armenian-American community. It is offered in honor of the one and one half million victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. May it stand in remembrance of all genocides that have followed, and celebrate the diversity of the communities that have re-formed in this oasis in the desert.”
Next the MC invited local organization representatives and key donors to unveil the 12 columns of the monument. The large veil was dropped, exposing the main portion of the monument to great applause.
The third stage was the unveiling of the monument’s center which contains the “Eternity Circle” sponsored by MaryRose Simon. Archbishops Derderian and Mardirossian accompanied by Reverends Matarian and Kassabian then blessed the monument with the Lord’s prayer.
The ceremony concluded with carnations being placed at the “Eternity Circle” by ARS Shoushi Chapter Saturday School Students, Saturday School students from the Armenian Apostolic Church, dancers from the Armenian Dance Academy and Armenian Dance School, Homenetmen scouts, and members of ACYO. Thereafter the monument was open to the attending public to visit and pay tribute to the genocide victims.
