GLENDALE FLAG PLAN HONORS ARMENIANS OLD GLORY TO FLY AT HALF-STAFF.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writerz

GLENDALE - For the third consecutive year, Glendale will fly the U.S. flag at half-staff at its facilities on April 24 to commemorate the Armenian genocide - a gesture that has drawn continued protests from veterans and other local groups.

During Tuesday night's council meeting, Mayor Gus Gomez handed down proclamations recognizing the genocide and ordering the flags lowered.

``The Ottoman (Turkish) Empire initiated an eight-year program of terror and mass execution beginning in 1915 that resulted in the deaths of more than 1.5 million men, women and children of Armenian heritage,'' the proclamation reads. ``We must be vigilant in our efforts to ensure that such atrocities are never again forced by one people upon another.''

While proclamations are usually dispensed quickly, the Armenian genocide proclamation drew more than an hour of emotional speeches from council members and leaders of the city's large Armenian-America community, as well as a flood of passionate comments from veterans and local residents who packed the council chambers.

Reflecting the thoughts of many people in the audience, Fred Whitaker, commander of American Legion Post 127, said he supports the recognition of the genocide, but believes that lowering the flag should be reserved for veterans, notable Americans and major U.S. events.

``I have seen men blown up, shot up and vaporized by hellish fire,'' Whitaker said. ``We lower the American flag as a singular and unique gesture for those who gave but did not count the cost ... so we may live in freedom.

``To use (the flag) in another manner is to dishonor their memories,'' he said.

Others fear the flag lowering for the Armenian genocide will set a precedent for future requests from other ethnic groups seeking recognition of atrocities they have suffered.

``Why should we make the Armenians any more special than those of us who are Jewish?'' said Richard Helphand, whose aunt is a Holocaust victim.

Armenian leaders said lowering the flag has profound meanings for their community.

Artin Manoukian, chairman of the Glendale chapter of the Armenian National Committee, applauded the council for not ``bowing to bigotry and hate.''

``Armenians hope lowering the flag will stimulate interest in the Armenian people whose stories have been put away most of the time and to this date is denied by the perpetrators,'' said Vrej Agajanian.

Neither the Turkish government nor the U.S. government has recognized the genocide, causing great pain for many Armenians.

``The reason we should lower the flag in recognition of the Armenian genocide is because the genocide is not over. The denial of the genocide is a continuation of the genocide,'' said Councilman Rafi Manoukian, who is not related to Artin Manoukian.

Although previously supportive of lowering the flag to commemorate the genocide, Councilman Dave Weaver announced that he had changed his mind, saying the meaning of the gesture has been drowned by the divisiveness it has caused.

``The American flag is a symbol that represents very powerful emotions in all of us,'' said Weaver, a Navy veteran. ``From the time we were in kindergarten, we saluted to the flag and said the Pledge of Allegiance.''

To stop the divisiveness, Councilman Bob Yousefian has proposed creating a committee to find acceptable ways to recognize the genocide and other atrocities, as well as build a genocide memorial where Armenians can gather each year to commemorate.

``That's where we will get together to remember our parents and grandparents,'' he said. ``It will not be like today because we want people to be with us, not against us.''

TRIBUTES

Following is a list of events commemorating the 86th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide:

--Hilmer Kaiser, a genocide scholar from the European Institute University in Florence, Italy, will discuss the genocide, noon to 1 p.m. today at Glendale Community College, 1500 N. Verdugo Road. The event will be held in Kreider Hall, inside the San Rafael Building.

--``The Red Trees of the Armenian Genocide'' art exhibit will be displayed, 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Broadway and Brand Boulevard in Glendale.

--The Ferrahian Armenian School, 5300 White Oak Ave., Encino, will hold ceremonies at 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday. The school also will hold a youth rally and vigil at 7 p.m. Saturday.

--The Armenian Youth Federation will sponsor a ``march for humanity'' at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School, 1615 N. Alexandria Ave., Hollywood. The walk will end at the Turkish Consulate at Wilshire Boulevard and June Street in Los Angeles.

--One of the largest commemoration gatherings will be held at 1 p.m. April 24 at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Bicknell Park, 850 Via San Clemente, Montebello.

--The Armenian Youth Federation will hold a demonstration, 3 to 7 p.m. April 24 at the Turkish Consulate, to demand recognition of the genocide.

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TRIBUTES (see text)