The Town of Halton Hills Council recognizes the important role the Armenian Farm School, as it was then known, played in the 1920's with the arrival of orphaned boys and girls who called Georgetown their first Canadian Home.
In the aftermath of the Armenian genocide, thousands of children were orphaned, having lost their parents in the slaughter that continued from April 1915 until the end of WW1 in 1918. Canada is one of a few countries who recognizes this chapter of history as a genocide.
At the wars end Canada adopted some of these orphaned children. It was then called the "Noble Experiment". These children were brought to Georgetown in 1923, where they were given new identities and trained to become good Canadian farmers. Can you imagine these poor Armenian children whose parents were killed coming across Greece and France by train, then by boat to Montreal and eventually to Geoergetown Ontario? They were brought to a new country where they had to adjust to a new language and culture.
Saturday was a marvelous event to be part of. There were many dignitaries and Halton Hills Councillors on hand who gathered for the unveiling of the plaque commemorating our history. Arman Akopian, Charges d'Affaires from the Embassy of Armenia called Canada the "nurse of the world" for our humanitarian actions. His Holiness Aram 1, the head of the Catholiscoste of the Great House of Cilicia delivered a powerful message about the genocide and the crimes against humanity.
It was an emotional affair as for many of the 600 Armenian Canadians who journey to Georgetown, Halton Hills on this rainy day. The rain didn't put a damper on this ceremony. The Georgetown Boys are part of Halton Hills history and Halton Hills is part of Armenia's history.
I must say that our Town staff did a wonderful job coordinating this event. Special thanks to Ashley Mancuso, who quarterbacked the event, Kelly Withers, Max Lawlor, Warren Harris, Kevin Okimi and Grant Harris.
All in all it was a wonderful day to reflect and to celebrate our heritage. Another reason to be proud to be a Canadian.
It was a tremendous service and dedication. I was honoured to have been invited.
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