Medal of Merit Recipients
A look at the names of members of Homenetmen who were awarded the organization’s highest award, the Medal of Merit, reveals devotees, who built and developed the organization. They spent a lifetime in the service of Homenetmen’s mission of educating young generations.
To honor their life-long dedication, the first-ever Homenetmen General Assembly adopted the order of the Medal of Merit in gold and silver medals in 1974. The order was put to practice by the first Homenetmen Central Committee (February 1976).
In 1995, the 6th Homenetmen General Assembly adopted a decision to merge the two, gold and silver, versions of the medal into one.
The Homenetmen Medal of Merit may be awarded to “Members of Homenetmen who have shown a life-long commitment to the organization, supported its growth and development, and displayed an exceptionally meritorious conduct during their deep involvement in the areas of scouting, sports, and administrative services.” (Bylaw of Homenetmen Medal of Merit, Article 4).
Below is the list of Medal for Merit recipients:
Award Recipient | Region/Chapter | Date of Award |
---|---|---|
Luther Massbanajian |
Aleppo and Toronto |
Post mortem, January 30, 1977 |
Toros Khachadourian |
Cairo |
September 6, 1977 |
Hovhannes Shahinian |
Beirut |
November 13, 1977 |
Levon Gaian |
Athens |
July 25, 1978 |
Kevork Hapetian |
Athens |
July 25, 1978 |
Khachig Partemian |
Thessaloniki |
August 7, 1978 |
Father Dikran Khoian |
Washington and Alexandria |
August 13, 1978 |
Vahan Kavoukjian |
Athens and Montreal |
February 10, 1979 |
Taniel Tanielian |
Beirut |
October 26, 1980 |
Albere Hagopian |
Los Angeles |
December 17, 1980 |
Kerop Arakelian |
Beirut |
November 28, 1982 |
Hrant Mouradian |
Cairo and New Jersey |
January 2, 1983 |
Karekin Shamlian |
Damascus |
July 31, 1983 |
Dikran Vosgerichian |
Damascus |
December 11, 1983 |
Sarkis Babigian |
Boston |
December 11, 1983 |
Bedros Garabedian |
Buenos Aires |
November 25, 1984 |
Father Shavarsh Mehrabian |
Aleppo |
November 22, 1985 |
Barkev Missirian |
Amman |
March 1987 |
Hovhannes Stamboulian |
New Jersey |
September 10, 1988 |
Dr. Joseph Melikian |
Philadelphia |
September 10, 1988 |
George Dakessian |
Amman |
November 24, 1988 |
Zaven Sabounjian |
Aleppo |
November 27, 1988 |
Souren Nazarian |
Aleppo |
November 27, 1988 |
Yeghishe Manougian |
Beirut and Los Angeles |
May 14, 1992 |
Hovhannes Baytarian |
Beirut |
December 25, 1992 |
Varoujan Kazanjian |
Cairo |
November 26, 1993 |
Haroutyoun Parseghian |
Los Angeles |
October 9, 1993 |
George Daghlian |
Buenos Aires |
December 18, 1993 |
Barkev Barsamian |
Buenos Aires |
December 18, 1993 |
Vartkes Alahaydoian |
Beirut and Los Angeles |
1994 |
Sevan Sakinian |
Glendale |
1994 |
Garbis Kouyoumjian |
Athens |
1994 |
Adom Tnjougian |
Beirut |
April 11, 1995 |
Krikor Mghtsavedikian |
Beirut |
April 11, 1995 |
Dr. Haroutyoun Kazanjian |
Beirut and Paris |
------ |
Yervant Demirjian |
Aleppo and Bourj Hamoud |
February 11, 1996 |
Hovhannes Der Haroutyounian |
Bourj Hamoud and Antelias |
February 11, 1996 |
Samuel Mgrdichian |
Los Angeles |
October 3, 1998 |
Varoujan Seropian |
Montreal |
June 22, 1999 |
Zhirayr Khachadourian |
Beirut |
January 18, 2000 |
Dr. Missak Arzumanian |
Bourj Hamoud and San Francisco |
July 8, 2001 |
Arshak Galstaun |
Sydney |
December 12, 2002 |
Berj Krikorian |
Athens |
February 2, 2003 |
Boghos Boghossian |
Athens |
February 2, 2003 |
Haroutyoun Takvorian |
Athens |
February 2, 2003 |
Onnig Shangaian |
Athens |
February 2, 2003 |
Yervant Shahinian |
Toronto |
February 16, 2004 |
Puzant Torigian |
Beirut |
March 21, 2004 |
Zhirayr Sarkissian |
Beirut and San Francisco |
June 26, 2004 |
Koko Balian |
Boston and Los Angeles |
June 26, 2004 |
Vahe Chokgarian |
Aleppo and Beirut |
May 11, 2006 |
Garo Tutunjian |
Antelias |
Post mortem, January 17, 2006 |
Bedros Shemmessian |
Aynjar and Jdeideh |
Post mortem, November 5, 2006 |
Hovhannes Mardoian |
Sydney |
March 3, 2007 |
Zaven Proudian |
Sydney |
March 3, 2007 |
Manuel Hallajian |
Aleppo and Toronto |
September 19, 2007 |
Mihran Shimshirian |
Beirut |
September 19, 2007 |
Zohrab Bosnoian |
Beirut |
Post mortem, July 10, 2008 |
Vartkes Der Garabedian |
Beirut |
Post mortem, November 14, 2008 |
Badrig Gulbengian |
Beirut |
November 14, 2008 |
Hovhannes Dzadourian |
Lebanon |
November 14, 2008 |
Vartkes Hayrabedian |
Lebanon |
November 14, 2008 |
Haroutyoun Margarossian |
Lebanon |
November 14, 2008 |
Jacque Boyajian |
Lebanon |
November 14, 2008 |
Hrach Der Sarkissian |
Canada |
May 26, 2012 |
Kevork Garabedian |
Syria |
August 9, 2012 |
Sarkis Der Bedrossian |
Australia |
October 12, 2013 |
Vahram Tanielian |
Eastern United States |
January 11, 2014 |
Hagop Hamamjian |
Lebanon |
March 8, 2015 |
Apraham Aharonian |
South America |
September 7, 2015 |
Ara Hagopian |
Lebanon |
November 28, 2015 |
Sarkis Sdepanian |
Eastern United States |
October 28, 2018 |
Boghos Cholakian |
Greece |
November 17, 2018 |
Garo Hovagimian |
Greece |
November 17, 2018 |
Vartan Pakhshian |
Armenia |
Post mortem, November 18, 2018 |
Levon Baghdassarian |
France |
November 22, 2018 |
Armen Gedigian |
Toronto |
November 24, 2018 |
Kevork Manguelian |
Montreal |
November 25, 2018 |
Setrag Boursalian |
Montreal |
November 25, 2018 |
Levon Bengian |
Montreal |
November 25, 2018 |
Krikoris Bogharian |
Lebanon |
March 10, 2019 |
Sdepan Der Bedrossian |
Lebanon |
March 10, 2019 |
Garbis Kabasakalian |
Lebanon |
March 10,2019 |
Harout Chekidjian |
Lebanon |
March 10, 2019 |
Bedig Saboundjian |
Lebanon |
March 10, 2019 |
Hagop Khacherian |
Lebanon |
March 10,2019 |
Hamlet Chrakhjian |
Western United States |
April 1, 2019 |
Hratch Sisserian |
France |
October 14, 2019 |
Manoug Keushgerian |
Syria |
October 14, 2019 |
Carlos Seferian |
South America |
October 14, 2019 |
Karnig Mgrdichian |
Lebanon |
Post mortem, January 8, 2021 |
Armando Torkomian |
South America |
Post mortem, August 24, 2021 |
sShahe Yenikomshian |
Western United States |
October 4, 2023 |
Arthuro Ohanessian |
South America |
December 12, 2022 |
Maro Keshishian |
Western United States |
October 4, 2023 |
Hagop Khatchadourian |
Eastern United States |
July 6, 2024 |
Oshin Peroomian |
Armenia |
November 16, 2024 |
Medal of Merit Bylaw
The order of the Homenetmen Medal of Merit was approved in accordance to the decisions adopted by the First Homenetmen General Assembly (held in December 1974, in Beirut), and the decisions adopted by the Homenetmen Central Committee (session 29, held on February 22, 1976).
Article 1. The Homenetmen Central Committee is the only body entitled to award the Medal of Merit. The medal is presented by a member of the Central Committee or an authorized representative.
Article 2. The Medal of Merit is awarded together with a matching lapel pin and a certificate. The certificate is sealed by the Homenetmen Central Committee, signed by its Chairperson and Secretary, and carries the date of authorization.
Article 3. The Homenetmen Central Committee registers the names, photographs, and date of authorization of the Medal of Merit recipients in a “Golden Book” designated for this special purpose.
Article 4. The Medal of Merit may be awarded to members of Homenetmen who have shown a life-long commitment to the organization, supported its growth and development, and displayed an exceptionally meritorious conduct during their deep involvement in the areas of scouting, sports, and administrative services.
Article 5. The Homenetmen Central Committee may bestow the Homenetmen Medal of Merit through the following procedure:
- By its own initiative: in this case, the Central Committee should inform the award recipient’s Regional Committee or the Solitary Committee in advance.
- Based on an application by a Regional Committee or a Solitary Committee: in this case, the application should include the curriculum vitae of the nominee and the filled application form designated for the Homenetmen Medal of Merit. The latter is presented as an “Appendix” to this Bylaw.
Article 6. The Homenetmen Central Committee announces the name of the Medal of Merit recipient in its official publication, throughout the Armenian press, as well as disseminating a specific Release announcing the news to all Homenetmen Regional and Solitary Committees. In their turn, the committees spread the announcement among their chapters and members.
Article 7. It is acceptable to bestow the Medal of Merit post mortem, to recognize the life-long service of a deceased member of Homenetmen.