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I have an idea... how about a new thread dedicated to the humanity of a forgotten group:
For many of us, Turk and Armenian alike, we forget to address those Turks who were our neighbors in the Ottoman Empire, those who stood by Armenians and saw with their own horrified eyes what the Ottoman Government was doing to the Armenian nation. Many of these Turks have gone down in Armenian books and family stories as heroes - an understatement. Interestingly enough they were the grandparents and great-grandparents of the Turks in this forum who are arguing these facts with us right now. Unfortunately these grandchildren seemed to have forgotten the roles that so many of their grandparents played in the survival of those few Armenians who emerged unscathed. I am sure hearing their protests would be a major disappointment for their families who witnessed the inhumanities against their Armenian neighbors by the Ottoman Government. Only Turks can have that guilt rest on their shoulders. As Armenians however, we have a duty to honor these heroic Turks that helped to save our loved ones. I have read extensively of courageous rescue attempts by Turks, and feel that these stories should be shared; they are a testament to what happened 1915.
So I'll start - here goes...
My Great Grandmothers family lived in Sepastia (Sivas). My Great-Grandmothers brother Garabed was the oldest of 8 children. When the death squads began butchering Armenians Garabed was only 7 years old. As the son of wealthy entrepreneurs, Garabed as well as the rest of his family was in great danger. It was convenient to kill the wealthiest families in town first - as the booty extracted from the home was in high demand. Since villagers had already heard the horror stories from "down the road" they knew time was short. My Great-Grandparents neighbors were Turkish - and close friends with our family. The Turkish man secured a brick, which would serve as a step inside the chimney of his home. He then hid Garabed in the chimney when the gendarmes came after him. This worked over and over, and luckily the rest of the family was safe as well - but not for long. One day the gendarmes came to the Turkish home next door to ask questions. Upon searching the home they found nothing, as they were leaving Garabed slipped off the brick and made enough noise to cause suspicion. The soldiers re-entered searched the home and found Garabed in the chimney. He was taken outside where the hands of this 7-year-old boy were chopped off. He bled to death. Garabed’s father Oskahan was later executed - presumably for being guilty by association.
This story happens to have a sad but common ending. The point is that these Turks risked their lives to save the life of an Armenian. They didn't do that for thrills, they did it because they knew Genocide was taking place, and they refused to stand by idly as their government erased their neighbors - those who they loved, and lived peacefully with for centuries.
Please share your stories...
Turks!
For many of us, Turk and Armenian alike, we forget to address those Turks who were our neighbors in the Ottoman Empire, those who stood by Armenians and saw with their own horrified eyes what the Ottoman Government was doing to the Armenian nation. Many of these Turks have gone down in Armenian books and family stories as heroes - an understatement. Interestingly enough they were the grandparents and great-grandparents of the Turks in this forum who are arguing these facts with us right now. Unfortunately these grandchildren seemed to have forgotten the roles that so many of their grandparents played in the survival of those few Armenians who emerged unscathed. I am sure hearing their protests would be a major disappointment for their families who witnessed the inhumanities against their Armenian neighbors by the Ottoman Government. Only Turks can have that guilt rest on their shoulders. As Armenians however, we have a duty to honor these heroic Turks that helped to save our loved ones. I have read extensively of courageous rescue attempts by Turks, and feel that these stories should be shared; they are a testament to what happened 1915.
So I'll start - here goes...
My Great Grandmothers family lived in Sepastia (Sivas). My Great-Grandmothers brother Garabed was the oldest of 8 children. When the death squads began butchering Armenians Garabed was only 7 years old. As the son of wealthy entrepreneurs, Garabed as well as the rest of his family was in great danger. It was convenient to kill the wealthiest families in town first - as the booty extracted from the home was in high demand. Since villagers had already heard the horror stories from "down the road" they knew time was short. My Great-Grandparents neighbors were Turkish - and close friends with our family. The Turkish man secured a brick, which would serve as a step inside the chimney of his home. He then hid Garabed in the chimney when the gendarmes came after him. This worked over and over, and luckily the rest of the family was safe as well - but not for long. One day the gendarmes came to the Turkish home next door to ask questions. Upon searching the home they found nothing, as they were leaving Garabed slipped off the brick and made enough noise to cause suspicion. The soldiers re-entered searched the home and found Garabed in the chimney. He was taken outside where the hands of this 7-year-old boy were chopped off. He bled to death. Garabed’s father Oskahan was later executed - presumably for being guilty by association.
This story happens to have a sad but common ending. The point is that these Turks risked their lives to save the life of an Armenian. They didn't do that for thrills, they did it because they knew Genocide was taking place, and they refused to stand by idly as their government erased their neighbors - those who they loved, and lived peacefully with for centuries.
Please share your stories...
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