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Elected officials, police, clergy, prominent activists, and the Armenian community all turned out to attend the unveiling ceremony of the Armenian Genocide Memorial at Memorial Park in Pasadena earlier this month.

On April 18, the park was crowded with people dedicated to remembering the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which was commemorated on April 24.

Many of the people who were attending had ancestors that were part of the genocide.

“My grandmother was in it,” said Robert Siraganian. “She used to tell me the story at least once a month. It’s a shame, but it’s something that happened.”

Other Armenian community members had t-shirts too with phrases about remembering the genocide and stopping the denial.

“We’re trying to make sure that everyone hears about it and knows about it,” said Jescik Nazarian, who was wearing an Armenian Genocide remembrance t-shirt.

The prevalent attitude taken by many Armenian community members attending the unveiling ceremony was one of gratitude that the city of Pasadena had taken steps to acknowledging the genocide. But aggravation also persisted.

“How can you deny something,” said Siraganian when asked what he thought about the genocide.

His daughter Sandra Siraganian, a Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee (PAGMC) board member, agreed with her father.

“When we marginalize any group of people… I just can’t seem to find my words,” said Siraganian.

However, Siraganian sees this memorial, the first of its kind in Pasadena to recognize the Armenian Genocide, as a symbol of hope and as a reminder for future generations to never forget.

“It’s important for the children of our generation to learn about this,” said Siraganian.

Indeed, the prevailing message during the unveiling ceremony from various people attending the event was one of remembrance and of acknowledgment.

“If you don’t remember it, you lose what has transpired in the past and it will repeat itself,” said Avo Kechichian, a PAGMC board member. “It’s important to remind people of the evil that people commit against each other so future generations and communities would at least try to avoid it.”

PAGMC members Bernard Melekian and David Gevorkyan both shared similar sentiments when they each gave a speech thanking volunteers and city officials for their dedication to the building of the memorial.

“[Denialists] have been drowned out by the Armenian community that said build this place so that we might proper and be remembered and have a voice,” said Melekian.

Gevorkyan went on to thank the city of Pasadena and other surrounding counties for their support and effort.

“A number of elected representatives from Los Angeles County sent in letters of support to ensure that this was received well and was approved by the Pasadena city council,” said Gevorkyan. “With us today is a number of dignitaries and community leaders that have been very supportive of the project.”

Several other groups and prominent community leaders also took part in welcoming the crowds to the unveiling ceremony.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union and Homenetmen Scouts posted the colors of the Armenian people. The American and Armenian national anthem was sung by Lara Gharibian and Garo Sulahian, respectively.

The defining moment of the ceremony, however, was when the memorial was unveiled. Surrounded by a crowd eager to see the memorial, the diocesan, prelacy and mulch-denominational clergy sang the Hayr mer, the Lord’s Prayer, right before the canvas was pulled down to reveal the structure.

Catherine Menard, the designer for the memorial, described it as “a sacred space with ancient signs” that she hoped would “bring future understanding.”

The memorial was laden with designs representing the Armenian Genocide. From the three poles forming a hollow triangle to the names of the original 16 provinces of Armenia carved into the stone, each represented a part of the genocide that PAGMC hoped would bring awareness to people that were of Armenian heritage and regular passersby.

As the ceremony concluded, the men, women and children who turned out for the event crowded around the memorial to see a drop of water fall from the top of the structure to the eternity symbol carved below. Every 21 seconds a drop of water fell into the symbol, representing each of the 1.5 million lives that were lost in the genocide.

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