The Montreal Chapter of the Lebanese Forces Student Association of North America (LFSANA) organized a mass commemorating the seventh anniversary of the martyrdom of Ramzi Irani and remembering all the Lebanese Forces martyrs, on Sunday May 10, 2009 .
The mass, held at Saint-Antoine le Grand church, was attended by members of the Ottawa LFSANA Chapter in addition to various local Lebanese Forces supporters. Furthermore, a reception followed the mass: it featured the screening of a documentary retracing the life and achievements of Martyr Ramzi Irani and highlighting the historical primary role of students within the Lebanese Forces.
The event featured many speakers, including Father Talal Hachem, Montreal LF Chapter President Hisham Eid and Montreal LFSANA Chapter Secretary Nassif Seif.
On May 1st 2009, the Lebanese Forces Student Association of North America (LFSANA) witnessed the transition to a new leadership headed by Gustave Cordahi.
Below is the Inaugural Message that was issued by Cordahi as he assumed his new responsibilities. The message was addressed to the LFSANA members.
—————————————————————————————————————-
Dear Comrades,
It is a real honor and a great privilege for me to be addressing you for the first time as the President of the Lebanese Forces Student Association of North America. I am proud to lead a unique group of young people full of qualities, dedication and ambitions. You do not only excel in your studies, succeed in your work and cruise in your respective lives, but you also deeply heart Lebanon. You do not only care about personal interests, academic issues or professional dilemmas, but you also offer time and donate passion for a sacred cause. You do not get dragged by the noise of the superficialities of your daily lives, but you link your minds and your souls to the real essence of existence through prayers, gatherings and charity work. Because you dearly value such principles, you are not simply young Lebanese living in the USA or Canada, but you are the Lebanese Forces Students of North America.
The Lebanese Forces Party is not a closed institution, hampered by interests or driven by arrogance. There is ample space within the Lebanese Forces ranks for every Patriot and every Believer in Lebanon. However, there is no place for opportunism and selfishness inside the Lebanese Forces. Belonging to the Lebanese Forces goes beyond following leaders, repeating slogans or memorizing hymns. Belonging to the Lebanese Forces does not only mean hunting for political seats or adding numbers to crowds. Belonging to the Lebanese Forces is an act of faith, a revelation of commitment and a continuous exercise of activism for Lebanon.
Dear Friends,
Our role as Students in North America is to make sure that the boat of the Lebanese Forces keeps on sailing in this part of the world. Our role as Creative Minds is to keep on bringing ideas and offering alternatives towards an increasingly strong Party and an ultimately flourishing Land of the Cedars. Our role as Christian Youth is to continue our mission and preserve our culture, in a world where our values are constantly attacked and for the sake of a Lebanon where the threat of our strong Presence turning into a mere Existence becomes more and more pressing.
After having headed the Lebanese Forces Chapter at the American University of Beirut, along with my ongoing tasks in the Lebanese Information Center and the LF Washington DC Chapter; I find myself today ready to take the challenge of serving our cause from a new angle and with a wider horizon. Let us not complain about the problems and the shortcomings of Lebanon, but let us rather find ways to offer our homeland the care it deserves. We versed tears and lost many dear comrades, but we always stood up and continued the fight. Let us accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
Stand with me for Bachir Gemayel, Ramzi Irani and all the martyrs of the Lebanese Resistance! Stand with me for our Church, our past and our ancestors who lived and believed in the Land of the Cedars! Stand with me for Qannoubine, Harissa, Maghdouche, Kfifane, Jrebta and Annaya! Stand with me for the strong Cedar Tree that resembles our eternal commitment! As I ask God to help me and guide me through my new mission, I sincerely hope to meet all of you, around interesting corners in North America or under Pine Trees caressed by the Mediterranean sun in Lebanon..
Yours Truly,
Gustave Cordahi, B.Eng., M.Sc.
President of the Lebanese Forces Student Association of North America (LFSANA)
The Ottawa Chapter of the Lebanese Forces Student Association of North America (LFSANA) hosted a “Greet’n Meet” event on Friday May 8, 2009.
In line with a strategic orientation of the said organisation, the event aimed at solidifying social bonds between LFSA members and new recruits, in order to ensure an effective mobilisation for subsequent events.
In his welcoming speech, Charif El-Khouri emphasized the necessity to conceive the relation with the LF as one of true and profound commitment, while also mentioning the importance of informal gatherings and social interaction among members. El-Khouri’s speech was followed by a presentation detailing the LF history and thought, and highlighting the nature of the LF commitment as a deep dedication to a noble cause. Finally, students socialized in a relaxed atmosphere around snacks, drinks and various entertaining activities.
