From left to right: Rep. David Muradian; Tim Wickstom, Chairman of the Board at Unibank; Michael Welch, CEO of UniBank; Jim Tusino, CEO Guaranteed Builders Inc.; Selectman Charles Ampagoomian; Selectman Russel Collins; Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate; Archpriest Rev. Aram Stepanian; Rev. Fr. Der Mikael Der Kosrofian, Pastor, St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville.
On Tuesday, April 18, Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, traveled to Whitinsville to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony and conduct the blessing of the site of the Armenian Heritage Monument in Whitinsville, MA.
The Monument will be dedicated to the memory of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide which took place 108 years ago. The Armenian immigrants who came to work in the Whitin Machine Works in the early 1880’s had a unique history and were an integral part of the labor pool. They were grateful for the opportunity to build new lives and invested their savings in starting up small businesses, building and buying homes, while unskilled workers aspired to better positions. The monument will honor the past, celebrate the present, and educate the future of the important legacy of the Armenians in Whitinsville and the Blackstone Valley. 
State Representative David Muradian, as well as members of the Board of Selectmen of the town of Northbridge, the town manager and benefactors accompanied Archbishop Anoushavan during the ceremonial groundbreaking with their golden shovels, which were gifted to the individuals as a memento of the special occasion.
Archbishop Anoushavan thanked the Almighty Lord for energizing the dreams of the Armenian people and turning them into reality. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Lord’s Prayer. A luncheon and time of fellowship followed at the Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church hall.