AANSI Supporters Hold Successful 3rd Annual Banquet to benefit the next AANSI HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT BRIGADE Training in Armenia this Sept.
Hundreds of American Armenian National Security Institute (AANSI) Supporters converged in Los Angeles on June 13 to hold a successful 3rd annual banquet to benefit AANSI, an All-American unique charitable, humanitarian and educational organization.
A good portion of the proceeds will go towards the next AANSI HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT BRIGADE (HSB) training in Armenia from Sept. 23 through September 27, 2024.
Several dignitaries participated in a captive program amplifying the importance of AANSI’s multi-pronged educational and humanitarian efforts such as 1) Fostering stronger economic, political and military alliance between United States and Republic of Armenia; 2) Supporting Armenia’s Sovereignty, Independence, Democracy and Defense; 3) Providing humanitarian assistance during times of national emergencies such as natural diastases — earthquakes, massive fires, floods or man-made calamities such as terrorist unprovoked aggression/war by Azerbaijan against defenseless Armenian innocent civilians.
The exceptional event brought together esteemed Americans from all walks of life along with members of the American Armenian community and supporters of Armenia’s Sovereignty to celebrate the impactful work achieved by AANSI.
The evening featured the premiere of an insightful AANSI documentary, highlighting AANSI’s efforts in Armenia.
Hosted by AANSI’s Founding Chairman, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mark MacCarley, the banquet also included distinguished guest speakers, such as Col. Armen Mkrtchyan, the Republic of Armenia Military Attaché in the U.S., U.S. Army Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Edward Dorman III, U.S. Congress Member Judy Chu (via video), L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (via video), Glendale City Council Members Ara Najarian and Ardy Kassakhian (via video) Hollywood Actor/Director/Producer and Founding Patron of the Armenian Film Society Mary Apick.
U.S. Army Major General (Ret.) Edward Dorman III spoke on his experience of his first-ever educational mission through AANSI. He also focused a bit on “Training Soldiers in Armenia.”
Colonel Arman Mkrtchyan of Armenian Armed Forces spoke on the “Security Situation in Armenia” and had high praise for AANSI supporters’ timely efforts.
The closing remarks were delivered by Appo Jabarian, Publisher and AANSI Founding-Vice Pres./Admin.
The newest AANSI Documentary on ground-breaking achievements was premiered. It was produced by award-winning Producer/Director Peter Musurlian.
Invocation/Lord’s Prayer were delivered by Rev. Petros Bagramyan of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale (Armenian) and Vosgan Mekhitarian (English). Mr. Mekhitarian also performed the benediction.
National Anthem of US and Armenia were performed by Liana Harmandyan.
The Present the Colors was performed by Boy Scouts of America Troop 188 led by Scoutmaster Allan Rabina. The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted by MG (Ret.) Mark MacCarley.
Exquisite dinner was provided by award-winning Taglyan Complex staff. Background music was provided seasoned saxophonist David Petrosyan. A special cultural program was presented by Choir – St. Sarkis Little Belfry Singers conducted by Music Director Gayane Mardoyan.
Proceeds from this event will contribute to AANSI’s educational initiatives supporting Armenia’s sovereignty and humanitarian support brigades.
Several new members joined AANSI’s upcoming 2nd Humanitarian Support Brigade in Armenia this September The mission aims to foster a commitment within the Armenian Diaspora to promptly respond to national emergencies. Whether natural disasters or man-made crises, AANSI HSB’s objective remains to mobilize within 96 hours of notification by Armenian authorities.
The September 23-27 journey to Armenia by AANSI HSB will also feature an enhanced cultural program and fun activities in picturesque Armenia to enrich the experience for AANSI HSB members.
To participate in the 2nd AANSI Humanitarian Support Brigade, please reach one of our team members vi tel.: 818-241-5800, email: info@aansi.org, or by completing the online enlistment form on AANSI’s website: http://aansi.org/ enlistment-form/
The event was covered by a host of media outlets including AMGA, ARTN, US Armenia TV, AABC TV, US Armenian Life and Hye Kiank Armenian Weekly. A 28-minute TV coverage aired on AMGA titled “AANSI 3RD ANNUAL BANQUET HIGHLIGHTS (Part I)” through USA ARMENIAN LIFE TV on June 21.
AANSI also fosters volunteerism in America and throughout the Diaspora for the support of Armenia. AANSI’s officers and board members do not get compensated. AANSI is a 100% volunteer effort/action-oriented NGO. Join and make a difference! Visit: www.aansi.org. If you’d like to donate press on red “DONATE” button or mail your check made payable to AANSI, to C/O MacCarley & Rosen, PLC, 330 N. Brand Blvd., Ste. 1250, Glendale, California 91203
Subscribe to AANSI YouTube channel — AANSI — American Armenian National Security Inst. through the following link:
AANSI – The American Armenian National Security Institute is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN 87- 1560030
AANSI is not funded by the U.S. government, the Republic of Armenia government or any other government. It is funded through donations provided by generous supporters from within the American Armenian community and mainstream Americans with affinity toward Armenia/Artsakh and the Armenian Heritage. AANSI is a non-partisan entity.
Below is the transcription of the program.
AANSI 3RD ANNUAL BANQUET HIGHLIGHTS
U.S. ARMY MAJOR GENERAL (RET.) MARK MACCARLEY: Thank you for attending. We’ve got a whole lot of American and Armenian military veterans who are seated at your table. And to all those, I join with you to salute their sacrifices, which we cherish, appreciate, and extend our appreciation for.
Tonight is our third annual Taglyan, American Armenian National Security Institute banquet. Over time, we’ve had these banquets in November and December. So that was our plan until September 23rd, 2023. Most of you recall that date, and you understand that date because it was a day of infamy. That was when Azerbaijan entered Artsakh and evicted 125,000 Armenians. At that time, I couldn’t get into Artsakh. On the last expedition that we at AANSI had, I’ve been there a couple of times, but on the 23rd of September, I was in Yerevan Republic Square, and what I saw was so much sorrow and grief because of the loss of the twin Republic of Artsakh. So, I think all of us in this room stepped back, did a reassessment, and again, we committed to maintaining the sovereignty and democracy of Armenia, and that’s why you’re here tonight.
Talking about the 23rd of September, we had Azeri soldiers—if you can call them that—entering Artsakh, and you had trails of men and women, children, the last speck of furniture that they owned, coming across and attempting to find refuge in Armenia.
Because what we do has to have a purpose; otherwise, we would never have asked you to come here, sacrifice your hard-earned cash, and participate in our banquet tonight. AANSI has, as some of you know, an organization called the Humanitarian Support Brigade. It doesn’t have anything to do with the military. It is focused on responding to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and fires in Armenia—and at that time, Artsakh—or man-made disasters such as war. So, we committed to and fulfilled one of the purposes of the American Armenian National Security Institute, of which all of you are members, whether you’ve raised your hand and been inducted or because you’re here tonight.
I’m a fanatic about time, and if you see the program, you can laugh about this because I’m always appreciative of a good laugh, even at my expense. We were supposed to start at 19:00, which is 7:00 p.m., and not lose a moment and never waste your precious time, so we’re about 10 minutes behind, but that doesn’t mean that we will not recognize as many of you as I can remember and Appo Jabarian can remember because the most important statement that we make is that every single person around here is the most important person, is a VIP, is somebody I would stand by and commit myself and you to the defence of Armenia.
We have our flag details, and they have already posted the colors. I want to introduce you to our great troop, troop 188, from the Verdugo Hills Council, each one of whom is a patriot and hopefully a future member of the Humanitarian Support Brigade. So, I want you gentlemen to march up here. Let’s show what you’ve learned, and then we’ll introduce you, and then you’ll be prepared to post the colors at the end of this event. I want you to give a round of applause to these scouts.
This means more to us and certainly to them, and I believe that in a couple of years, you’ll remember this because what you’re participating in is a group of men and women who are committed to a cause—the preservation of democracy in Armenia and, of course, around the world. Let’s give him a round of applause.
The next thing we have, to give you an idea of the significance of the organization and the fact that we take this incredibly seriously, is that we’re committing to another deployment of young and older men and women to Armenia for the same and similar training.
First, we have the honorable Judy Chu from the Montebello/Monrovia area. She’s been a strong supporter since the very beginning of AANSI. Let’s roll her speech.
REPRESENTATIVE JUDY CHU: Hello, I’m Congress member Judy Chu from California’s 28th congressional district, and I’m proud to represent the nation’s oldest Armenian community in Pasadena, California. I regret that the voting schedule in Washington, DC, prevents me from attending in person, but I want to wish AANSI a successful third annual banquet, and I commend you for the incredible work you do to provide support to Armenia.
This is a critical moment for Armenia and for the future of the Armenian people in the region and around the world. Last fall, we witnessed Azerbaijan follow up on its illegal blockade of Artsakh with yet another violent attack that drove the 120,000 Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh from their ancestral homeland.
We have to be clear: The United States must reject this violence and ethnic cleansing and stand up clearly for democracy, self-determination, and peace. I am proud to be one of the only members of Congress who had the privilege to visit Artsakh in person. Before I left on this trip, the Azerbaijani government warned me that Artsakh was dangerous and that making this visit would have consequences. But I still went, and I am so glad that I did because I saw that Artsakh was beautiful and charming, and the Armenian people there were thriving and proud. And sure enough, when I returned, Azerbaijan banned me from ever coming to their country. But I consider this a badge of honor, and it only strengthened my resolve to advocate for the Armenian people. But this visit was in 2019, and it is heart-breaking to consider that those people I visited just 5 years ago are now refugees in Armenia. That’s why I recently joined my congressional Armenia Caucus colleagues in requesting robust federal funding in fiscal year 2025 that will support Armenia’s democracy, aid in the defence of its borders, and help to care for the 120,000 refugees from Artsakh. Specifically, we requested a total of $30 million to increase defence cooperation between the US and Armenia and provide education and training for its Armed Forces, $200 million to support refugees who were forced to flee their homeland in Artsakh, $20 million to support reforms that will strengthen Armenia’s democracy, internal security, and law enforcement, and a prohibition on providing US military and security assistance to Azerbaijan. I will continue to work in Congress to stand up for Armenia’s security and democracy and against Azerbaijan’s unacceptable aggression. And I know that as Armenia faces these challenges, it’s so important that organizations like AANSI are stepping up and harnessing the power of the Armenian diaspora here in the United States to help the people who need it most.
U.S. ARMY MAJOR GENERAL (RET.) MARK MACCARLEY: With that, we’re going to maintain this emphasis on Armenian and American culture, and who else could do better than Mary Apick, an Armenian American film producer? Some of you know her; some of you have asked for her autograph. She is so incredibly well-known, and it took everything on my part to get her to show up.
MARY APICK (ARMENIAN FILM ACTRESS, PRODUCER, FOUNDING PATRON OF THE ARMENIAN FILM SOCIETY): Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It’s an honor and pleasure to be here among all of you.
Major General MacCarley, thank you so much for having me here tonight, I’m so glad to be a part of this to learn and be more educated about something wonderful that all of you are doing and all the dignitaries that are here tonight.
So, hand in hand, we can raise the voices higher and get them aboard and all over so we can be heard, so we can be heard.
In 1981, as I was here from a revolution as a young woman and a second-generation actor, I arrived in the United States not knowing which direction I was going to go in my career, which was grand in the country of Iran. That’s my birthplace, as an Armenian, and my family and the legacy of my family. Dr. Michael Hagopian invited me to be on the Board of Directors of the Armenian Film Foundation, and it was an honor to join him. He was a historian, and his interest was to capture and make sure that all the witnesses who were alive from the Armenian Genocide at the time were to be filmed.
GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AND FORMER MAYOR ARA NAJARIAN: Boy, it’s been a terrible few years, hasn’t it been for the Armenians? This has been one of the darkest periods, I think, in all of our history. It’s something that I hope we can recover from. Do we have any friends in the region? And I’m not an expert in foreign relations, but I get my news just like you do. We were supposed to have a pact-like NATO with Russia and other states and nations to protect Armenia when we are attacked. And when we were attacked by Azerbaijan, nothing; the Russians were silent. Not only were they silent, but I believe it was just uncovered today that through Belarus there was a direct supply of armaments to Azerbaijan.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERVISOR KATHRYN BARGER: Hi, I’m Los Angeles County Supervisor Katherine Barger. It is an honor to celebrate the third annual American Armenian National Security Institute’s banquet. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to AANSI for all the incredible work you do for Armenians in Armenia and around the world. Your efforts provide urgent humanitarian assistance to Armenia during times of national emergencies and bring help and healing.
Whether residents are facing natural disasters, like earthquakes, massive floods, and fires, or man-made disasters, such as a war, your organization stands as a beacon of hope and support.
Los Angeles County boasts the largest population of Armenians outside of Armenia, and their presence enriches our region in countless ways. I am always inspired by the resilience and strength of this community. Throughout my time as supervisor, I have consistently advocated for Armenia’s safety. I’ve spearheaded numerous motions urging accountability for the recent attacks of genocide and human rights violations against Armenians in Artsakh. To this day, Armenians continue to be the target of war crimes committed by Azerbaijan, with the support of Turkey. We raise awareness about past atrocities and strive to ensure that history does not repeat itself. I’ve seen how resilient and determined the Armenian people are first-hand, both in Los Angeles County and in their homeland. I had the privilege and opportunity to visit Armenia in 2019. This experience reinforced my belief that we must do more to help Armenia, especially during these challenging times.
Your organization’s efforts play a major role in addressing these challenges. By educating Congressional, military, and security decision-makers, AANSI makes strides toward peace and stability. Tonight, we celebrate your achievements and reaffirm our commitment to stand with Armenia. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and for being steadfast in all these efforts. Your work is invaluable, and we are grateful for your commitment to Armenia’s future.
U.S. ARMY MAJOR GENERAL (RET.) MARK MACCARLEY: I want to introduce you to my battle buddy. We spent a good amount of time in the Middle East. We’ve had a long history together; that’s Major General Ed Dorman. I asked Dorman, as I told you before, to join our educational entourage at the National Defense University, which is the most significant educational institution in Armenia for senior officers. Anybody who’s going to be a general and lead the Armenian Army, its Armed Forces, and its Air Force, is going to go through there, and Ed addressed them, taught them, and he has a few comments about what he did and what he sees for the future. Ed?
U.S. ARMY MAJOR GENERAL (RET.) EDWARD DORMAN III: Well, thanks, Mark, and thanks to each of you for allowing me to make a couple of remarks and for being here. Thanks to those presentations, especially historical ones. Those who don’t understand their past and their history are often doomed to repeat it, right? And that’s what the conditions will allow.
Good evening, everyone. It is a tremendous honor to be here tonight with such an esteemed gathering of distinguished individuals and patriots. I am humbled to have the opportunity to share a few words about the vital work of the American Armenian National Security Institute (AANSI). I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Major General McCarley (retired), President and Chief Executive Officer Appo Jabarian, and Vice President of Administration, for their unwavering dedication and leadership.
In February of this year, I had the privilege of visiting Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. During my visit, I had the honor of providing several lectures at the Armenian National Defense Research University. Engaging in professional discussions with such esteemed colleagues, particularly on subjects like Multi-Domain Operations, the Operations process, and national-level sustainment and operational logistics, was truly enriching.
Beyond these professional engagements, I was also fortunate to immerse myself in Armenia’s rich cultural heritage. Visiting historical sites such as the ancient Geghard Monastery, the Garni Temple, and the solemn Armenian Genocide Memorial provided me with a deeper understanding of the resilience and enduring spirit of the Armenian people. These experiences, coupled with the warm hospitality I received, left an indelible mark on me and underscored the importance of my own continued personal support to AANSI and the fostering strong ties between our nations.
The hospitality and eagerness to learn that I encountered were truly inspiring. Armenia’s strategic position in the South Caucasus makes it a pivotal partner in enhancing regional security and stability. This visit reinforced my belief in the importance of the work AANSI is doing.
AANSI’s mission to educate Congressional, military, and civilian national security decision-makers on American defense and strategic interests, particularly in the South Caucasus, is more crucial than ever. The visible signs of Armenia’s rapprochement with the West and the simultaneous cooling of relations between Yerevan and Moscow is heartening and must be supported with strong actions. The anticipated robust American Armenian security cooperation agreement is not just a policy goal; it is a cornerstone for regional stability and a testament to our commitment to our allies.
In today’s complex geopolitical environment, where the balance of power is constantly shifting, the role of AANSI cannot be overstated. As I mentioned in the opening, it’s great to be surrounded by American & Armenian Patriots. In the Special Operations Community, where I spent my formative years, we often say “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” That is why your support is so important, it ensures that AANSI’s ability to continue to build and strengthen essential relationships. It helps AANSI provide the necessary resources and training to Armenian military and civilian leaders, fostering resilience and cooperation.
AANSI’s efforts are making a real difference. For instance, the strategic dialogues and training programs facilitated are not only enhancing Armenia’s defense capabilities but also fostering greater understanding and collaboration between our nations. This cooperation is vital for addressing the challenges posed by regional adversaries and for promoting peace and stability in the South Caucasus.
I urge you to continue supporting AANSI. Your contributions are more than just financial; they are investments in a safer, more secure world. With your help, AANSI can expand initiatives, provide more comprehensive training, and strengthen strategic partnerships.
To conclude, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your presence here tonight and for your unwavering support. Together, we are making a significant impact, and together, we will continue to build a resilient and secure future for Armenia and beyond.
Thank you, and enjoy the remainder of the evening.
U.S. ARMY MAJOR GENERAL (RET.) MARK MACCARLEY: We wanted for you, those of you who haven’t had much contact with the military, the American armed services, or the Armenian armed services, to bring members of our army, our Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force here, and I wanted you to listen about the degree of commitment to Armenia and its survival. Ed led that effort. If I ask him again, he’ll respond in the affirmative in 5 seconds. Thank you, Ed.
For our keynote speaker, this is one gentleman I got to call a brother. He and I have been through thick and thin. There isn’t anybody around me whom I would trust to stand by me—Ed, of course—and our keynote speaker in times of real trouble. That’s a battle buddy. He’ll lockstep, he’ll stand right by me, he’ll never run, and he’ll be there when the fight gets hot. Arman Mkrtchyan, Sir, front and setter.
COLONEL ARMAN MKRTCHYAN OF ARMENIAN ARMED FORCES, DEFENSE ATTACHÉ TO THE UNITED STATES: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It’s my great honor, pleasure, and privilege to be here with you again, and it’s always good to see familiar faces again. General Dorman, it is very nice to see you, and I thank you again for what you are doing for my country. General MacCarley, Appo, thank you very much for inviting me here.
You know I will be there, as you mentioned, when you need me and when AANSI needs me. I think the best part of this event was having the children here. They were singing very nicely; I think everybody agrees on this, but also, congresswoman Judy Chu’s comments that AANSI is garnishing the strength from the Armenian diaspora to bring it to the benefit of the Armenian people. That’s a very powerful statement for AANSI, and you should take advantage of that.
AANSI is becoming more and more relevant and is being demanded by several Armenian government agencies, including the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior, and the Foreign Ministry.
Considering the geopolitical developments, the Armenian Armed Forces are being trained in Armenia, but also in friendly training facilities regularly to be able to fulfill the functional tasks imposed by the Constitution, anytime and anywhere.
A huge role in this endeavor lies within the state partnership program with the great state of Kansas, where the military corporation is conducted on a planning basis; meaning, several activities are planned and implemented that are included in those annual programs and bilateral plans.
With the future of conflict uncertain and technology evolving at a rapid pace, the armed forces are making adaptability a top priority. This necessity is being taught at all levels in the military training chain of command and in all the military institutions in the Armenian Armed Forces.
Overall, I want to thank the AANSI, the General, and the entire staff for organizing this important banquet. I appreciate what you all do to support the AANSI, and I encourage you to continue supporting the AANSI because it’s important and is helping the homeland. I want to wish every success to the continuation of your mission.
General, I want to assure you that I will stand by for any assistance you might need in the future to fulfill what is meant to be a great success in bringing Armenia and the United States even closer. Thank you very much.
APPO JABARIAN: It is my distinct pleasure to invite to the stage the newest members of the AANSI Humanitarian Support Brigade who will join the second training in Armenia from September 23 to September 27, 2024.
Ladies and gentlemen, please. (At that moment over 20 new members – dedicated men and women came onto the stage.)
U.S. ARMY MAJOR GENERAL (RET.) MARK MACCARLEY: Did you get enough room up here? Hey, we got enough; this is a good platoon size, this is good. I think I’m seeing two squads.
APPO JABARIAN: Thanks to your continuous support, unrelenting support, and determination in helping Armenia push through these trying times, AANSI continues its mission for support of Armenia’s Sovereignty, Independence, Democracy and Defense.
(Then General MacCarley conducted the induction of AANSI Humanitarian Support Brigade newest members.)
U.S. ARMY MAJOR GENERAL (RET.) MARK MACCARLEY: And with that, Colonel Jabarian and I will go forward. And you’re at attention, and if you’ll raise your right hand that you saw me swear to behold the principles of AANSI, the commitment to freedom and democracy, and the preservation of the sovereignty of Armenia, so help you, God. Just give them a big hand.
(To be continued)