“Légion Arménienne: The Armenian Legion and Its Heroism in the Middle East,” a traveling exhibit developed and prepared by the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA), is now on display through Aug. 28 at the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Center in Chicago, letting visitors learn about the formation, training, military action, and post-war activities of this all-volunteer force from World War I.
ALMA commissioned the exhibit in response to tremendous interest from the Armenian and veteran communities. The exhibit tells the story of the brave and selfless young men who fought with the Allies to victory, and later risked all in defense of Armenian human rights.
“Légion Arménienne” was curated by Ardemis Matteosian in close collaboration with ALMA Board members Arakel Almasian and Dr. Barbara Merguerian. It traveled to the California State University Fresno and Pasadena Central Library in California, and University of Michigan-Dearborn before arriving at the Racine Public Library.
The traveling exhibit was made possible by a grant from K. George and Carolann S. Najarian, M.D. Foundation with additional support provided by The Armenian-American Veterans of Milford, Mass., Inc.
The exhibit can be viewed on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by making an appointment with Sona Diorio by calling (773) 991-9869. The AGBU Center is located at 7248 North harlem in Chicago. For more information, contact ALMA by calling (617) 926-2562, visiting www.almainc.org, or emailing gamavor@almainc.org.
ALMA and its benefactors have done a great service for the Armenian community and general public with this project. Not only have they captured the essence of an important
time in modern Armenian histroy, they had the foresight to create a traveling exhibit to maximize the benefit. The “gamavors” represented a heroic presence for the Armenian people during this trajic time when our people were ooking for ways to help the allied cause. My grandfather was a member of the Legion, having volunteered while living in Indian Orchard , MA. He met my grandmother, a native of Adana, while stationed in the area. I can just imagine the pride and hope these men gave to their victimized breathen. The sight of Armenian uniformed soldiers with critical support of Allenby’s mission and presence in Cilicia must have been inspiring.
I remember as a young boy hearing the older folks identify someone as a “gamavor paregam”.. It was a lifelong bond between these men. One of my grandfather’s fellow Legionnaire became his brother-in-law. God Bless their memory and ALMA for their educational efforts for this generation.