Street in Chicago named in honor of Armenian-American WWII officerJune 12, 2018 - 16:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An honorary street naming has been held in Chicago's Uptown in front of the Bezazian Library. The new sign was named in honor of Lt. Harold A. Bezazian, a Armenian-American man who was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service in WWII, Lincoln Square Patch reports. Bezazian's father funded the Bezazian Library in memory of his son, who loved reading and learning. Bezazian family members joined Ald. James Cappleman for the unveiling outside the library. Cappleman spoke about Harold's "selflessness" as a soldier, and his determination as the son of an Armenian immigrant who came to the U.S. with little money. Harold grew up in Uptown, attended Oberlin College, and graduated from Columbia University with a degree in journalism. He worked as a reporter for the Chicago Times, and joined the army in 1941. He was discharged as overage, but enlisted again after the attack on Pearl Harbor, according to the Collumbia University Roll of Honor. Harold said it was better that he re-enlisted and go to war than another man who would leave behind a wife and children, said library advocacy group Friends of Bezazian. Harold was killed in the Philippines by enemy rifle fire while leading his platoon on a rescue mission for soldiers who had become separated from the rest of his unit, his family said. He was 33 years old. A plaque sits in Bezazian Library that reads, "This branch library is a fitting and living memorial to the life of an outstanding young American, born and reared in Uptown Chicago, who loved books and learning, and who had dedicated his life to a writer's career until he volunteered for military service and gave his life for his country." Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |