On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of General Aram Sulukjian’s birth, the Haigazian University-based Armenian Diaspora Research Center (ADRC) organized a presentation on June 25, 2019, to highlight the great achievement of this military figure, who was the first Armenian general in the Lebanese army.
In his presentation, Mr. Vasken Sulukjian thanked the Haigazian University for this occasion and stated that in November 2019 he will launch a book about this great man, his father.
Mr. Sulukjian presented a narrative of the general who was born in Adana, Cilicia in 1919 and graduated from the Homs Military Academy. Milestones of this courageous military figure were highlighted with photographic illustrations.
General Sulukjian headed a Lebanese army unit that saluted the release of the imprisoned Lebanese leaders from the Rashaya fortress. He personally hoisted the Lebanese independence flag for the first time during that ceremony in Rashaya. During the Palestinian partition war of 1948, General Sulukjian headed a Lebanese army unit that occupied the Malikiye section in northern Palestine. Between 1959 and 1965 the general was in charge of the Rayak military airbase. His efforts proved successful in enlarging the airbase and extending the runway to some 3000 meters.
Mr. Vasken concluded his presentation by narrating the extensive hard work and research his father had done to come up with a report and a well-documented file on reforming and upgrading the Lebanese army. He noted that “unfortunately, the file was kept in the ministerial drawers for two years and then presented to the parliament in the name of the minister of defense, with no mention to its real author!”
Throughout the presentation, the personality of this honest, sociable, hardworking, and diligent individual with a high sense of responsibility and love to his country and state were highlighted.