The Armenian embassy in the United States paid tribute to the the 28th U.S. President Woodrow Wilson on his 161th birthday at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, December 28 morning.
“President Wilson played a special role in the Armenian history for saving refugees and orphans after the Genocide and arbitrating the boundary between Armenia and Turkey in 1920,” the embassy said in a tweet.
During a special service at the cathedral, a ceremonial laying of wreaths on Wilson’t tomb was held in Washington, with the public and diplomatic missions joining the the U.S. military services on the occasion of the anniversary of Wilson’s birth.
President Wilson extended his moral support for the efforts of the Near East Relief organization during the Armenian Genocide by dedicating two days in October 1916 for a nationwide fundraising drive.
Paying tribute to the 28th US President Woodrow Wilson on his 161th birthday @ @WNCathedral. Pres Wilson played a special role in Armenian history for saving refugees & orphans after the #Armenian_Genocide & arbitrating the boundary between Armenia & Turkey in 1920. pic.twitter.com/5mCaplRwHC
— Embassy of Armenia to the US (@armembusa) December 28, 2017
Under the Treaty of Sèvres, as drawn by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s Department of State, Armenia’s boundaries would incorporate the Ottoman vilayets of Erzurum, Bitlis, and Van, which once had Armenian populations of varying sizes.
Wilsonian Map of Armenia of 1923
President Wilson pointed and said,
“These lands belong to Armenia”
Soon Wilson’s map was covered with a “Black Lace”
By a civilized, unfair group of politicians.
Only a sketch still remains
For Armenians to weep on for
Lost Terrains!
All invaded, confiscated, demolished
Under scimitars of Turks,
Under savage politicians and their politics
Under . . . shaking hands
Under hugging shoulders
Blinding their consciousness for what
Genocided populaces lost can never be replaced.
I repeat always my true, factual phrase,
“Politics Play and People Pay!”
Poets’ Vocal Cords will burst,
Will never heal for centuries
Their Horseified Voices,
Will never sink with their flesh,
Shall transcend to every place with cherish grace
Shall exhale their stanzas eternally
Above the graves.
(C) Sylva Portoian
May 14, 2014