ENCINO–Twenty-two members joined the ran’s of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Western Region during a swearing in ceremony on January 15. ARF Western Region Central Committee (CC) member Khajag Dikranian served as the godfather for the 8 female and 14 male novices to the ARF ran’s.
On behalf of ARF CC’s educational committee–Marzbed Margossian introduced the new members–affirming their competence to enter the ran’s of the ARF–and capability to assume responsibility. He urged the new members to immediately take on tasks entrusted to them.
Addressing the novices–Khajag Dikranian said–"For our organization–this moment is one of renewal; this pledge and the legacy of struggle have been transferred from generation to generation to finally reach us."
He reminded the audience that the novices must be nurtured–as each has volunteered to join the ARF; their individual paths of continuous struggle within the organization will be long and tireless.
He conveyed that the ARF is an organization that undergoes constant renewal. Recalling the words of Nigol Aghbalian–he said that whoever leads the organization–whatever form the methodology or direction–the ideal and vision remain the same.
ARF CC Representative Hovig Saliba pointed to two distinct momen’s in the life of an ARF member–the oath of the Tashnagtsagan and the burial of a fellow ARF member. In both cases–those assembled together renew their oath–united in their emotion and conviction.
ARF Bureau member Dr. Vicken Hovsepian welcomed the novices into the great family of the ARF–saying that we are born into families–but we join the family of the Tashnagtsoutiun by choice. He expressed hope that the new members continue working within the ran’s of the ARF with their current level of eagerness and resoluteness–even in momen’s of doubt–and remain worthy of being a member of the ARF by being exemplary and committed members of the organization.
Following the swearing in of the new members–more than 600–mostly youth–celebrated the evening’s dinner dance organized by the Papken Suni ARF chapter–featuring singers Karnig Sarkissian and Hovhannes Shahbazian.