On Saturday, May 31, 2025, almost 400 community members from throughout southern celebrated Armenian Independence Day at Gugasian Hall, Forty Martyrs church in Santa Ana. The celebration co-organized by ARF Western USA Central Committee and the Orange County ARF Armen Karo Gomideh also welcomed more than 40 new ARF members who gave their oath earlier that evening.
This year’s celebration coincided with General Dro ‘s (Drastamat Kanayan) birthday. In his honor a special video was prepared where the General in his own voice/words describes the battle of Bash Abaran, all attendees received flash drives including the video and over 35 minutes of audio recordings of General Dro discussing among other things the battle of Bash Abaran and Surmalu.
The program officially opened with the singing of the US, Armenia, Artsakh national anthems followed by the ARF anthem. Master of ceremonies Garo Kailadjian welcomed the crowd and invited Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, pastor of Forty Martyrsto bless the tables who also emphasized the importance of the May 28 independence.
Orange County ARF Armen Karo Gomideh representative Hagop Badolian spoke on behalf of the local chapter. He explained the importance of the heroic battles of Bash Abaran, Gharakiliseh and Sardarbad, and that Armenia’s independence of 1918 is the foundation for our survival and our existence. The preservation of national identity and values, the universal desire to reject slavery and live independently was the driving force that motivated great sacrifice to secure victory. He assured that this spirirt of May 28 runs strong in our veins, that we’ll withstand external and internal pressures to compromise and will continue with our struggle for survival and liberty. Despite efforts by detractors and the current Armenian government to distort our national identity and divert the national agenda, the ARF continues on the righteous path that started with May 28, 1918, and ends with a free, independent and united Armenia. “This is not a dream, but a goal that will be realized through unity and action.”
ARF Armen Karo chapter chair, Hagop Badolian 
Phillip Kanayan 
Master of ceremonies Garo Kailadjian 
Forty Martyrs Church pastor Rev. Karekin Bedourian
AGM students and AYF juniors performed Armenian patriotic songs, later that evening the region celebrated General Dro’s birthday with a video presentation birthday cake.
Philip Kanyan, grandson of General Dro’s grandson introduced the great Armenian national hero and leader of the battle of Bash Abaran; he was an ARF member until the day he died. Dro was first and foremost an Armenian nationalist who believed the ARF was the only vehicle through which to spread nationalism and work towards national goals. “Dro was not just a Kanayan, he was a Dashnak first.” He believed an Armenian could do no greater good than to serve his nation. He explained that the ARF was not about one person or family but about patriotism and nationalism, about taking bold action to solve problems.
Central Committee Chairperson Garo R. Madenlian thanked the Kanayan family and especially Philip for providing the audio recordings of General Dro and many of the never-before-seen photos used in the video presentation from their private family collection.
Madenlian emphasized that with great sacrifice, hard work, blood and sweat, and organized and coordinated efforts the Armenian nation collectively established Armenia’s independence; collectively we are the heirs to the Republic of Armenia and must continue the work and struggle. He said “For us defeat is not an option, we have not been defeated, we have setbacks that we will overcome together as we march to victory.” He recognized some of the heroes of 1918 and those of Artsakh such as Aram Manougian and General Dro, Tatoul Grbeyan, Shahen Meghrian and Bedo, and their commitment to and sacrifices for freedom. But we must also recognize all those Armenians whose names we do not know, the unsung heroes on the front lines or behind the scenes without whom we could not have secured independence. Everyone played a role, united and in service to the common cause. Today, we need the same. There is room for everyone to work in the arena of their choice, to collectively serve our national goals of establishing a truly free, independent and untied Armenia from Artsakh to Western Armenia, from Javakhk to Nakhichevan.
Karnig Sarkissian and his band took the stage and energized the crowd with a very powerful and moving night of patriotic and revolutionary songs.
The local AYF Ashod Yergat chapter held a post event foul breakfast next door at the Armenian Center.
