2016 ANC-RI Flag Sponsorship Program

The Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island (ANC-RI) introduced its Flag Sponsorship Program 15 years ago in order to ensure each of Rhode Island’s 39 city and town halls raise the Yerakouyn (tricolor/Armenian flag) to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. The community has participated and supported this program since its inception, and as a result, the Yerakouyn flew over all city and town halls in Rhode Island, as well at the State House.

Through the Flag Sponsorship Program, the ANC-RI offers individuals, businesses, and organizations the opportunity to sponsor an Armenian flag to be flown in one of Rhode Island’s cities or towns on April 24. Each flag sponsor is asked to symbolically choose a city or town in the state and an individual(s) to honor or memorialize.  In return, they are offered a 3 x 5-foot Armenian flag as well as a citation detailing their chosen information.

The ANC-RI is honored to announce that 88 flag sponsors, each donating $100, supported this annual program; additionally, donations of approximately $2,000 were also received by the committee.  The financial support allows the ANC-RI to host its annual activities, two of which are special flag raising ceremonies in North Providence and Cranston, where local Armenians are honored on an annual basis.

The ANC-RI would like to thank the 2016 Sponsors and Donors:

Flag Sponsors: Anonymous; American Foam Corporation; Gary V. Aprahamian; S. Sue Aramian and Margaret Aramian Ragan; Robert and Zabel Avakian; Greg Arzoomanian; Sona Arzoomanian; Andrew Bagdasarian; Peter “DOC” Bedrosian; Kenneth and Sandra Bogosian; the Burke Family; Ricky and Rebecca Rafaelian Caruolo; Paul Chobanian; Mr. and Mrs. Garabed Danayan; Gregory and Mara Derderian; Dr. Fotini Dionisopoulos; Mrs. Maro Dionisopoulos; Hagop Donoyan; Hovsep and Zepur Donoyan; Stephen Elmasian; Attorney Christine Engustian; Mary Fermanian and Queenie Haboian; Mayor Allan Fung; Honorable Aram G. Garabedian; Aghjayan and Getzoyan Families; Armen Garabedian; Garabedian Sisters; Garry Giragosian; Peter Hajian; David Harootunian and Christine Harootunian Clancy; Homenetmen Providence Chapter; Harry Kachadoorian; Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Kanarian—two flag sponsors; the Kaprielian Family; Deneb Karentz; Varoujan and Rose Karentz; John and Ann Kashmanian; Honorable Representative Katherine Kazarian; Rose Keilany; Harout and Nayri Khatchadourian; Ari and Stephanie Killian; Tom Kizirian; Shakay Kizirian; Harry and Candace Kojoian; David Krikorian; Krist and Manoushag Krikorian; Mrs. Dorothy Leylegian Baker; John and June Mangassarian; David and Judy Manoogian; Everett Marabian Sr.; Archie and Cathy Markarian; Haig and Maral Markarian; Stephen Markarian; the Megerdichian Family; Men’s Club of Sts. Vartanantz Church; Mark and Bried Mesrobian; Stephen Mesrobian; Jean Goshgarian Michael; David and Karen Minsassian; Ms. Beverly Najarian; Honorable Councilman Nicholas Narducci; Mark Norigian; Betty, Rose and Robert Ouloosian; Mark and Hasmig Phillips; Bob and Deb Pjojian; Providence ARS “ANI” Chapter; Providence “Varantian” AYF-YOARF Chapters; Ralph and Ani Rafaelian; Carolyn Rafaelian; Honorable U.S. Senator Jack Reed; Ara Sadaniantz; Simon Sarkisian; Melissa Simonian – two flag sponsors; Sonia’s Deli (Ara Janigian); John Takian; Garo Tashian; Sarkis Tarpinian; Lisa and Raffi Tatarian; Nancy Tavitian; Armen and Martha Tenkarian; Gary Tikoian; Malcolm and Kristen Varadian; Michael and Armenie Varadian; Sarkis Varadian; Mrs. Sylvia Varadian; Mr. and Mrs. Sarkis Yepremian; Berge Zobian; Ken Zorabedian; and Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Zorabedian.

Donors: S. Sue Aramian & Margo Aramian Ragan; Honorable Mayor Scott Avedisian; Honorable Rep. Arthur Corvese; Vartges Engustian; Honorable Aram G. Garabedian; Sofie Garabedian; Garen Grigorian; Virginia Hazian; Hazel Kizirian; Edward and Elizabeth Kopoian; Lillian Markarian; Greg McBurney; John Mesrobian; Ardashes Nahabedian; Helen Nezamian; Dickran Palian; Carolyn Rafaelian; Gary Sahakian; Simonian Family; Margaret Stepanian; Shoghig Tavitian; Lucille and Michael Toumasian; Anahid Varadian; Sylvia Varadian; and Michael and Leslie Varin.

Source: Armenian Weekly Mid-West