New Ellis Island Medal Recipients Announced

NEW YORK — Earlier in May the Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients gathered to pick up their awards. Among them were several Armenians. Pictured, from left, they are Frank Melkonian of California, Lucine Mardirosian of Florida, Ruth Bedevian of New Jersey, Ara S. Tekian of Illinois, Joan Agajanian Quinn of California, Garo M. Tertzakian of California, and Kurken Yetvart Berksanlar of California. Missing from the photo is Andy (Andranik) Madadian. Two of the recipients are members of the Armenian International Women’s Association (Bedevian and Quinn).  Bedevian is the third parishioner of St. Leon Armenian Church family to receive this distinguished honor. The other honorees are Sarkis Bedevian and the late Charles Pinajian.