ANCA-WR to honor Armenian American military veterans

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region announced that it will honor several Armenian American U.S. military veterans at the 2011 ANCA-WR Annual Banquet, which will take place on November 26 at the Universal Sheraton Hotel.

Asbarez reports that among the veterans being honored are Marine Staff Sergeant Baleny Minas, and Army Lieutenant Adrineh Shahijanian Gouloomian for their selfless and honorable service in the Iraq Theater. Their efforts on behalf of the U.S. military personify Hai Tahd: to advance the Armenian Cause while remaining steadfast in their dedication to the United States of America.

“Every year, Americans mark Veterans’ Day to honor our military servicemen and servicewomen. It is of special significance to honor them this year, on the tenth anniversary of September 11, in recognition of the many sacrifices they have made throughout their service in Afghanistan, Iraq and other armed conflicts,” said ANCA-WR Board chairman Andrew Kzirian.

In 2001, Lt. Adrineh Shahijanian Gouloomian became the 34th female Kiowa Warrior pilot in U.S. history. The Army only began allowing women to fly combat aircraft in the early 1990s. Gouloomian served as platoon leader of the Outlaw Troop of Fort Carson’s Third Armored Cavalry Regiment, and was awarded the Army Air Medal and the Bronze Star. By the end of her service, Gouloomian had become an executive officer of some 500 soldiers and reconnaissance helicopter pilots. She was medically discharged in 2004 after suffering injuries when, to avoid RPG fire, she crash-landed her Kiowa Warrior.

Marine Staff Sergeant Baleny Minas entered the Marine Corps in February 2000. She served her first tour of duty in the Iraq Theater from March 2004 to July 2004, and then was redeployed from February 2005 to October 2005.

Minas provided ground support and served as an equipment manager for Bell AH-1 SuperCobra Helicopters and Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters, known in military parlance as Hueys. After her return to the United States, she finished her contract in the active reserves in 2007.

She was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, and meritoriously promoted to corporal, sergeant and staff sergeant during her military career.