YEREVAN. – On the initiative of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI) and with the support of the US Embassy in the Republic of Armenia, commemorative events dedicated to Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross and a great humanitarian, took place at the Museum on Wednesday.

Hayk Demoyan, the AGMI Director, John Heffern, the US Ambassador to Armenia, Armenian Deputy FM Ashot Hovakimyan, and Kevin Patti, American historian representing Clara Barton National Historic Site, made remarks during the event.

The commemoration event included the presentation of the English and Armenian editions of Clara Barton’s “American Relief Expedition to Asia Minor under the Red Cross” report. The translation and publication of the Armenian edition of the report was made possible through the support of the US Embassy.

Also, the AGMI Scientific Council issued a Clara Barton Golden Medal under the “Gratitude” nomination to award individuals and organizations for their humanitarian support and for strengthening Armenian-American friendship. Demoyan presented these awards to Ambassador Heffern, Ashot Hovakimyan, and Kevin Patti. And, by way of the US Embassy, golden medals will be awarded to US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.    

Afterward, the soil brought from Clara Barton’s grave was ceremoniously placed in the Memorial Wall of the Armenian Genocide Memorial and the memorial plaque was put in place.