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Community members gather at Fresno State to commemorate the Armenian genocide

Atop a hill in Armenia sits a solemn expression of remembrance.

A monument built of 12 freestanding and inward-tilted basalt slabs, each a representation of lost history, encircles a flame that burns eternally.

Flanked by a sky piercing pillar that cast a shadow over a cemetery where thousands of displaced people were laid to rest, is a symbol of an entire country.

44 years after its erection, Armenian̢۪s still gather in front of the Martyrs Monument to remember the more than 1.5 million Armenian̢۪s who perished in what many historians say was the first genocide of the twentieth century.

A group of Fresno State students and faculty gathered in front of a mock-up of the Armenian Martyrs Monument Thursday night in a candlelight vigil, and then again Friday afternoon in one of the many commemorative events that mark the 94 years since the Armenian genocide.

The candlelight vigil and the Commemoration Rally were two events held in Fresno State̢۪s Free Speech Area.

A moment of silence was held as well as individual prayers in the native language. The rally also included genocide-themed Armenian dances, and inspired speeches from students to honor those lost.

In addition, a film examining genocide, “Screamers,â€Â was screened in the East Engineering building.

“It’s important that these events take place on-campus,â€Â said Fresno State Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian, coordinator of the Armenian studies program.

“Every year you get new students, so you can never do it once and just forget about it.â€Â

Off campus, hundreds of advocates and supporters throughout the Central Valley rallied in Downtown Fresno to commemorate the Armenian genocide.

The commemoration included a Walk of Remembrance, which began on Tulare and M Street and ended in front of City Hall, and a ceremonial flag-raising. Present at the ceremony were Mayor Ashley Swearengin and Congressman Jim Costa.

The processions marked the anniversary of the mass slayings of Armenian intellectuals at the hands of Ottoman authorities during World War I.

The day of remembrance came to be known as Martyrs Day — the most important secular holiday of the year for Armenians. The day is usually marked with a statement from the White House issued to the press.

Past presidents, however, have disappointed the Armenian community on Martyrs̢۪ Day by not characterizing the purge from 1915 to 1923 as genocide.

In similar fashion, President Obama avoided using the word “genocideâ€Â Friday in his written statement on the matter.

Instead, he referred to the events as “atrocities.â€Â

During his candidacy, Obama pledged to support recognition of the Armenian genocide. Even openly acknowledging the matter in a YouTube video aimed at Armenian voters.

Armenian-American groups have since criticized Obama for not honoring his campaign pledge.

Obama̢۪s word choice let down many Armenian hopefuls, but he contends that his stance on the matter has not changed since taking office.

Vickie Kalajian, a local Armenian, expected President Obama to stand by the promise he made while on the campaign trail.

“He should have respected his promises, not only until he collected his votes,â€Â Kalajian said.

Der Mugrdechian, likewise, said he was deeply disappointed that the President decided against using the word “genocideâ€Â in his statement. “He broke the promise that he made to the American people.â€Â

However, Obama used the phrase “Meds Yeghernâ€Â in his statement — which is Armenian for “The Great Crimeâ€Â or “The Great Tragedy,â€Â a reference that Der Mugrdechian believes is a strong affirmation of what occurred in 1915.

“If he used the word genocide, Turkey would have been upset,â€Â Der Mugrdechian said.

“But, I think it would have gotten them to think about change, and it would be more productive than continued denial.â€Â

Earlier this month, President Obama visited the Turkish capital of Ankara, where he addressed the parliament and spoke optimistically about a breakthrough between the two countries.

But Turkish officials made it clear that any genocide statements in Washington would bottleneck the process.

Turkey, a NATO member and strategic ally in both the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, has the geographic advantage of bordering Iran and Iraq, which has meant the United States has been careful not to strain diplomatic relations with the country.

“That has been the major stumbling block,â€Â Der Mugrdechian said.

“The US does not want to upset Turkey, because of military and economic ties. They’re afraid that if Turkey gets upset that somehow those ties will be cut.â€Â

Although the Turkish government contends that the death toll was exaggerated and disputes the branding as genocide, talks of a rapprochement began last Wednesday in an effort to “normalizeâ€Â relations between Turkey and Armenia.

For some Armenians, like Der Mugredchian, optimism that a president will recognize the genocide as such remains high.

“I believe that the President can make good on his promise by working to get Turkey to acknowledge the Genocide,â€Â Der Mugrdechian said “The sooner the better.â€Â