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| Who exactly is Armen Garo? He can be called a freedom fighter or a fedayee. He is also the namesake of our Racine Chapter. He was christened Karekin Pastermadjian, but we simply know him as Armen Garo. Armen Garo was born February 9, 1872 in the city of Karin. In 1891 he graduated from Sanasarian Varjaran Academy. He later went to France to study agriculture at the Agricultural School of Nancy. He planned to return to Karin after graduating. His plans didn't work out when massacres and conflict began in Zeitun. He dropped out of school so he can come to the aid of Zeitun.Armen and some friends went to Geneva, Switzerland since they were emerged as actists out of forty students. He was sent to Egypt to assist the Zeitun Rebellion. After activities in Egypt were a waste, he participated in Cyprus to assemble weapons for Zeitun.Zeitun was forced to surrender so he was directed by Papken Suni to go to Constantinople to wait for further directions. When he arrived, preparations had already been completed. Plans were to attack Bank Ottoman. The day of the battle at Bank Ottoman was August 14, 1896. The attack took place at about 1:00 P.M. Armen Garo went inside 10 minutes prior to the attack. He was to keep the bank officers from escaping and keep the teller busy. His men didn't arrive quickly so he went to a coffee shop across the street. When he saw the men through the doorway, he ran out to meet them. It was a long battle where bombing and shooting went on for about 3 hours leaving three people dead, including Papken Suni. No one expected Armenians to pull off such a daring act. A long while after the attack, Armen Garo returned to his studies, now majoring in physical science at the Universtiy of Geneva. He never forgot the idea of attempting an economic venture in the homeland. He studied as he participated in activities with the ARF. When the 2nd general conference was convened in 1898, he was on the delegate roster representing the ARF committee in Egypt. The fact of his election was proof that despite his youth, he commanded confidence and authority in the leading circles of Dashnakzuntune. After graduating from the University of Geneva with a doctoral degree in physical chemistry, he found a lab in Tiflis for chemical research. He married Miss Mariam and had a son named Hrant. Hrant became an authority in administration and history. Armen Garo was active in all important ARF revolutionary meetings and undertakings. He commanded high respect and confidence not only in the party, but in the general community. His courteous mannerisms, tender character, and virtuous way of life won him general distinguishing qualities as well. In the Armeno-tatar conflicts, he organized self-defense of the Armenians in Tiflis. He and five hundred volunteers succeeded in securing peace in the capital of Transcaucasia. One might say Armen Garo played the savior's role for the Armenians in Tiflis during the hazardous years of 1905-1906. Armen Garo did so many more things for his people and homeland that are uncountable:). He was extremely dedicated in finding peace in Armenia and risked his life numerous times to come to the aid of his country and fight for its freedom. Sadly, when the 1915 massacres occured, Armen Garo became very depressed and sick. When Armenia lost its independence, his sickness grew worse. He died on March 23, 1923. Armenians of Geneva, Swiss friends, relatives from Paris, representatives of the Delegation of the Republic of Armenia, and of the ARF and close friends came to pay their final respects to the warrior of liberty, Armen Garo. All the good deeds and sacrifices of Armen Garo for the Armenian cause fill my heart with pride of being an Armenian! ~Nina Fronjian~ |
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| The young Armen Garo |