2005_05 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper May 2005

              May 2005
Hye Sharzhoom
5
Genocide Gains
International Attention
Genocide, From Page 1
in the Armenian Studies Program,
said that she thinks that there needs
to be recognition by other nations,
especially Turkey.
Red carnations were passed out
by the ASO toward the end of the
commemoration as the duduk music began playing once again. Each
person stood in line to lay their
flower beside a small model ofthe
Armenian Genocide monument in
Armenia c ailed Dzidzernagapert in
remembrance of the dead.
"The people who were in the
death marches of the Genocide
marched because they saw rape,
their land was taken, their families
were stolen from them, but they
continued so that their stories would
be told," said Sevag Tateosian, who
was at the event. "That's what we
are doing here, so that their stories
are told, so that they marched for
something."
Barlow Der Mugrdechian of
the Armenian Studies Program.
ASO     President     Hakop
Tataryan.
Pi
Student Armine Sargsyan reciting a poem by Barouyr
Sevag.
Student Gary Kerboyan reciting an Armenian poem by
Siamanto.
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Your Address Changes,
Author Markar Melkonian on New Book
Left to Right: Author Markar Melkonian signing his new book, My Brother's Road: An
American's Fateful Journey to Armenia, with Jim Lianas, Mr. & Mrs. Ken and Lisa Melkonian.
"It's about time that we loudly
repudiate the romantic conceit that
'my pen is my gun.' Pens are pens
and guns are guns. There are more
than enough 'intellectuals' in the
diaspora. What we need am fighters, soldiers, fedaiis." — Monte
Melkonian
Hakop Tataryan
Editor
Heroes are like ghosts, many
people speak of them, but only few
have seen them. On March 15, the
Fresno community was given the
opportunity to know a fallen hero
when they attended a talk by Markar
Melkonian. This was understandably one of the bigger talks organized at Fresno State by the Armenian Studies Program. More than a
hundred people, ranging from children to the elderly, showed up to
hear   and   meet   the   author.
Melkonian appeared at Fresno State
to discuss the biography he wrote
about his brother Monte Melkonian
called My Brother's Road: An
American's Fateful Journey to Armenia. Monte was a good student
from the San Joaquin Valley, who
turned into a rebel, became a commander, and then finally became a
w or Id- r en o wn e d her o.
Monte Melkonian graduated
from UC Berkeley, where he studied archaeology and had a great
interest in the tombs from the ancient kingdom of Urartu. At B erke-
ley he wrote many acclaimedpieces
on the topic. He graduated in three
years and had a very prolific academic career.
So what could have turned this
law abiding American student into
a bellicose rebel willing to die for
Armenia? Well, this is the question
that Markar Melkonian tries to answer in his book. He narrows the
answer down to several pivotal
events in his brother's life that made
him "tick."
Monte's experience of visiting
his great-grandmother's house in
Turkey, and seeing the Turks who
lived there, affected him. Later he
learned from a woman in Cyprus
how his maternal grandparents had
been killed. These events and the
profound patriotic feelings he had,
added to his passion and led him to
devote his life to the new Armenia
that was formed due to the breakup
ofthe Soviet Union in 1991. Ultimately, Monte had an indescribable love for the country of Armenia and its people, which led him to
the front line of the Nagorno-
Karabagh war in the early 1990s.
Monte became a militiaman
when he entered the Armenian Secret Army. There he began learn-
see Melkonian page 7
Stephanie Stockdale
Major: Political Science
Minor: Armenl\n Studies
How have the Armenian Studies classes
you've taken influenced you?
The Armenian Studies courses I have taken at
Fresno State have not only taught me so much
about the history and heritage of my people, but
they have sparked a desire to educate myself
further. I hope to study different aspects ofthe
Armenian culture, history and present status of
Armenia both as a nation and people. The
courses at CSUF have been a wonderful background and starting point to what my continued
education will include.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
It is hard to predict the future. Although ten years seems so far away, in actuality they
will be completed sooner than I know. Within those ten years I know there is much
in store for me. I am beginning these years with a six-month study in Armenia and
will then return to begin and complete my Master's. Within the ten years I also plan/
hope to accomplish much more. In addition to earning a Master's I hope to complete
a PhD and establish myself in a career path focused on international affairs and
relations. Like most people, I hope to be quite successful and establish a family.
Although these are all goals, I am optimistic that ten years will be a sufficient amount
of time to complete all which I have set forth for myself.
Most memorable event of your college career?
The most memorable event of my college career includes numerous events in many
different areas of life. Some of the greatest experiences of my life have involved
traveling. One ofthe most memorable trips was to South Africa where I interned in
the Regional Security Office of the American Embassy. This was an exciting and
special trip not only because I was able to work in an environment I see myself, in the
future,but was able to assist in the security detail of former Secretary of State Colin Powell and
President George Bush.
Best advice for incoming freshmen?
The best advice that I can offer incoming freshman would be to enjoy yourself the entire way.
School is much more exciting when you participate in clubs, classes, and events, which are of
interest to you. Although once in a while we all have to do things we do not want to, remember
everything must end and even though this is probably the hardest class you will have to take,
it too will end in sixteen weeks. It is what you make of it. It is okay to take an extra class outside
of your scope of study, it makes the semester much more enjoyable and indulging your interest
only widens your scope of knowledge. And most importantly, only do it for you, the education
that you complete can never be taken away from you, it is for the betterment of yourself.
Rami Gabriel
Major: Business-Information Systems
How have the Armenian Studies classes you've taken
influenced you?
Armenian classes have influenced the way I look at my
culture. They have taught me a lot of history.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I plan on working for an IS department for a
fortune 500 company, making a lot of money, and driving
a Porsche.
Most memorable event of you college career?
My most memorable event of my college career is hard
to pick out. All of college has been fun and exciting. If I
have to pick one, it would be graduating.
Best advice for incoming freshmen?
The best advice I can give would be to know what you want to major in. Don't waste time taking
unnecessary classes. Even though college is fun it is more fun to get out and make some money.