MONTEBELLO–Last September more than 850 former Armenian DPs of the camps of post World War II Germany and their families and friends throughout the United States gathered in Montebello’s Bagramian Hall to reunite and celebrate nearly 50 years in America. The "DP Reunion" was a spectacular–unique and memorable event. Four months later–the buzz of the Reunion is still alive. All who attended had a great time.
A grand total of $25,000 from that evening was donated to the Armenian Mesrobian School which recently relocated to its original campus. The school has been completely renovated to take the students into the 21st century. The DP community–who originally founded the Mesrobian School–has continued its commitment to preserving the Armenian heritage here in the Diaspora by donating all the proceeds of the Reunion event towards a state of the art science lab.
Last September’s reunion festivities began with a cocktail hour and elaborate photo exhibit of over 200 photographs and memorabilia which were thoughtfully and beautifully displayed in the adjoining Tumanjian Hall. The warmth–energy and excitement of the crowd accompanied by the traditional Armenian music played by Mike "Mougouch" Hagopian and his band–during the photo exhibit–was a party in itself. Later gathered in the Bagramian Hall as video messages from several people who lived in the camp–were played on a large screen. A delicious Armenian dinner followed as the program for the evening began. The highlight of the evening was the film presentation of the DPs in Germany. The film shown at the event stirred emotion from everyone. After the film–the guests danced until the early morning hours.
The special part of the reunion was that it was organized entirely by the children and grandchildren of the DPs–who in addition–are all either graduates of the Mesrobian School or parents of Mesrobian students. This was a unique event enjoyed by all who attended.
Since the excitement of the Armenian community throughout the country about the reunion is still going strong–the Reunion Committee has decided to plan an encore Photo Exhibit. This time–photographs will be available to order for purchase as well as the film about the DPs. There will also be a Silent Auction for a select number of photographs. Cocktail–hors d’oevres and traditional Armenian music will also accompany the exhibit. This is a unique event that everyone will truly enjoy. The photo exhibit will take place on Sunday–March 15 at 3:00 p.m. at the Bagramian Hall in Montebello. For further information call Olga Dilanian at (213)726-1067.
