Several dozen elected officials, Armenian-American leaders and community activists attended the official unveiling of the Sardarapat Armenian Memorial Highway sign in Centennial, Colorado, USA, Asbarez reported.
Sardarapat Armenian Memorial Highway signs unveil in US state of Colorado
STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 8, ARTSAKHPRESS: In April, the Colorado House of Representatives and the State Senate unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 18-1019 that designates a portion of a major state highway in the Centennial State in honor of the heroic May 28, 1918 Sardarapat Battle that paved the way to the establishment of the independent Republic of Armenia.
Upon passage of the resolution, the Armenians of Colorado (AOC), Colorado’s oldest Armenian-American organization, sponsored the highway signs.
Following the opening remarks at the unveiling, State Representative Cole Wist spoke to the reasons for the importance of celebrating Sardarapat in Colorado.
“This battle against all odds paved the path for the creation of the Republic of Armenia,” remarked Wist. “A universal inspiration to fight for one’s rights, [it is] a reminder to us of the power of the human struggle and the power of the human spirit; when we look to each other and find strength in each other.”
Wist also mentioned his own extended family’s connection to Armenian history. “(…) my thoughts turn to my wife’s family who lost family members in the Armenian Genocide,” he said, in particular.
The next speaker, Congressman Mike Coffman, reiterated the importance of the Sardarapat Battle in world history. “What I hope the [highway] sign will do is spark an interest… in the genocide of the Armenian people,” he noted, in part.
