As with most of the first generation offsprings of Armenian parents, (myself included), who came to
America to escape the 1915-1923 massacre of 1,500,000 Armenians by the Ottoman Turks, most
of our exposure to Armenian culture came through our immigrant Armenian parents.
For me, however, it wasn't all bed and roses as I later came to find out. At 18 months, I had become
chronically ill with diphtheria and not being expected to last the night, our Lousavorchagun priest
was immediately summoned and I was baptized and given last rites, all at the same time. On the
bright side, I survived. And I might also add that this happened in 1925 when all Lousavorchagun
Armenians in North America were still going to one united Armenian Apostolic Church. 
Though fortunate in getting that early reprieve, I was also fortunate enough to grow up
experiencing, along with others in my first born generation, what a wonderful thing it was to be a
part of an Armenian family. On the down side, however, since my parents were new in America,
with little or no experience in American culture or language, while frantically and laboriously trying
to survive economically in a new world, one can readily understand why all of our family activities
were confined to Armenians such as ourselves. In short, growing up during those early years, most
of our Armenian youth were short on American experience and understanding. As for historic people
of note, the only ones our parents referred to were those from the Old Country. And in truth, there
was little of that because of the massacre and all the loved ones they lost at the hands of the
merciless Ottomans. At times we heard about our Armenian heroes and martyrs but we had
difficulty embracing them because they weren't a part of the American reality we had been surviving
in.  

As time went on, our people became more accustomed to America, and even more important,
prosperous. Then came World War II and it was at this point that our first born generation showed
their mettle. Many served, many were wounded, and many died. The service that these young men
and women rendered to our great country not only reflected the same heroism of the old ones that
our parents used to talk about, but it also reflected the enormous gratitude with which they served
for the opportunities and liberties that this great nation afforded the survivors of that horrific massacre.
Then came the war in Korea and after that the war in Vietnam. And the continuing military service
that these second and thirdgeneration Armenians confirmed even further that the apple doesn't
fall far from the tree. Richard N. Demerjian's 656page volume of military biographies entitled,
"The Face of Courage," should eventually find its way onto every Englishspeaking Armenian's
library shelf in our diaspora. Its range of military bios from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and
even foreign military services, was a fiveyear labor of love and dedication. Moreover, it's not only
good reading for the adults but it's also a fountainhead of information for the young Armenian
history students who want to review these recent wars from the standpoint of the past generations of
Armenians who fought in them. Even more important, it also symbolizes how our people helped
shape the modernday world we live in. Not only that, it also reflected all the love and gratitude for
the great nation that originally welcomed and gave safe haven and opportunity to those Armenians
who survived and came here because of the 19151923 massacre.

Those wishing more information on this milestone volume can contact Heritage Press at P.O. Box
396, Moraga, California 945560396. Telephone (925) 3763292 or fax (925) 3767641. 

Joseph Vosbikian