Anca Burbank Chapter Hosts 9Th Annual Banquet

The Burbank Chapter of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) held its 9th Annual Banquet on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Community youth activists Nazeli Khodabakhsh and Ani Gharibian, were honored by the ANCA and were presented the “Karekin Nhteh” Award. The Hrant Dink Award and the William Saroyan Award were presented to Anchorwoman Araksya Karapetyan and Burbank City Councilmember Jess Talamantes, respectively. Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, an LA area healthcare institution, was honored and was presented the Johannes Lepsius Award.

The Diocesan Primate attended the banquet accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian. In his remarks, the Primate commended the mission of the ANCA and congratulated the honorees. “Tonight’s celebration turns to be a historical milestone in the life of our community in honoring individuals who have responded to God’s call with wisdom and compassionate heart. Our gratitude first goes to the ANCA for their leadership in greater Los Angeles and the West Coast. This organization has been a blessing for our nation in serving noble causes always upholding firm in their hearts the reverence for the victims of the first genocide of the 20^th century.

God, our Lord, bless our nation and this great country where the vision of freedom is rooted in the hearts of its citizens.

Almighty God, bless our honorees and enlighten our youth with the vision of leaders: Saroyan, Hrant Dink, Johannes Lepsius and Karekin Njteh, who have left an imprint in the spirituality of our nation’s life. God bless us all and we will always honor the memory of our ancestors in pursuing their just cause.”