POSTED BY: Jack Garabed, Son of an Armenian genocide
survivor (Guest author),
News event at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. In
the photo (R to L): CMHR President and CEO Stuart Murray, David Garabed (Jack’s
brother), Jack Garabed, Jack’s wife Karen Garabed and daughter Jill
Garabed-Hruska of Brandon, Manitoba. (Photo Credit: Dan Harper / CMHR). During and after the First World War, the leaders of the
Ottoman Empire (the forerunner of the modern-day Republic of Turkey) made a
brutal attempt to destroy the empire’s entire Armenian population.
The victims
were massacred or forced on death marches through the desert. Approximately one
and a half million Armenians perished between 1915 and 1923. Another half
million found shelter abroad. Canada opened its doors to some of the children
orphaned in the Armenian genocide. One of these orphans, Harry Garabed, found
himself placed on a farm near Killarney, Manitoba. Jack Garabed, Harry’s son,
spoke at a recent news conference where the CMHR signed an agreement with the
Armenian Genocide Museum Institute. Here
is Harry’s story, in his son Jack’s words.
Someone asked me once if it means something to me to have
the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. The short answer is YES! Last
week, I had the honour of witnessing an important and historic partnership
between the Armenian Genocide Museum Institute of the National Academy of
Sciences and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. The Armenian Genocide is an
important human rights story and I was proud to share the story of my father at
this event.
I am the son of an Armenian genocide orphan survivor. My
father was born “Garabed Haroutounian” about 1906. His name was later changed
to Harry Garabed, for pronunciation reasons. Unfortunately, I have very little
information about my Dad's early years, just what I remember him telling me as
a young boy, and young man.
Dad talked about how his mom made Turkish rugs. They
would bring bags of wool already weighed, and she would hook them. He helped
her after school. She was allowed to keep a small amount of the wool when the
rug was done.
I remember Dad telling me of his parents' demise, and
about his family. He was the oldest of six. He spoke of my grandfather being
taken away in the night, and murdered. They took Dad away and placed him in a
Turkish orphanage. He believed my grandmother escaped into Egypt with some of
the younger children. He was forced to change religion against his will. God
only knows what happened to my grandmother and my Dad’s five other brothers and
sisters.
Garabed Haroutounian's registration certificate
Dad explained how he had been encouraged to sneak out of
the orphanage one night with an older friend, and how they ran, and then
escaped into the countryside. They existed by their wits, hand to mouth.
Dad was 17 when he started his journey. We really don't
know and I don't think he knew where he was going. My Dad went to England from
Greece and he sailed from Liverpool to Montreal.
The Salvation Army sailing sheet
The Salvation Army arranged to have three children in the
orphanage, including my father, transported to Canada. Dad left the other two
boys in Montreal and continued on to Manitoba. He was fascinated by the train
ride, and wanted to extend it as far as he could. He had never seen one, and
was intrigued. The train brought him to Winnipeg, and from there he was placed
with farmers in the Killarney area.
He told me how wonderful the people were to him, as he
spoke almost no English. He found out later they taught him cuss words, as it
was funny to hear them with his accent! He was very happy in his early years in
Canada. He never spoke of being lonely, or about the old country, as he made so
many new friends. He told me how he had made a comb out of nails, in the early
years, as he had no money, and his hair was long. He worked hard, and
eventually bought his own land and farmed.
Garabed Haroutounian's certificate of naturalization
He served in the Canadian Army, overseas, for six years.
Afterwards, he was a local, respected politician for 30-plus years.
Dad fathered five children, one of whom is deceased.
There are numerous grandchildren, great, and great-great grandchildren – 65 in
total. Quite a dynasty from one little Armenian orphan! Most of us still live
in Killarney and southwestern Manitoba.
As he grew older, Dad always said he was so grateful to
have been blessed with coming to a free country like Canada. To his dying day,
he thanked God for the Salvation Army, his wonderful family, and for Canada!
Jack Garabed, Son of an Armenian genocide survivor (Guest
author)
http://museumforhumanrights.ca/explore/blog/ottoman-empire-killarney-manitoba-story-armenian-genocide-survivor#.Uu9govl_uWb
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