We’re all Armenians:

With or without an “ian” or “yan” at the end of our names.

Folks with two Armenian parents, or one, or who are 1/4, 1/8, a 1/16, 1/32, or (like the late Princess Diana) 1/64 Armenian.

Kids who’ve been adopted into Armenian families, or husbands and wives who’ve married into our community.

Those in Armenia and from around our global diaspora.

First or fifth (or 15th) generation immigrants.

Armenian speakers or not.

Left, right, or center. Of all types, tastes, and varieties.

Those who serve and sacrifice, and those yet to fully find their place.

Of all faiths, or no faith. Christian (like so many of us) or Muslim (like our Hamshen brothers and sisters).

Part Kurdish, part Assyrian, part anything and everything: You’re 100 percent of every part of your heritage, including 100 percent Armenian!

Armenians by birth, by choice, by citizenship, by spirit, by partnership…or by accident.

We’re all Armenians.

We each—for reasons as myriad and sometimes as mysterious as the stars—bring something unique to the Armenian equation.

And so, it’s with arms open to the world and all its wonder and diversity, that we cherish our special place among the family of nations and treasure our ever-evolving contribution to the rich tapestry of human civilization.

We’re Armenians, and we stand together, as proud sons and daughters of our ancient tribe, in believing in and building a bright and brilliant future for ourselves and all of humanity.

Aram Hamparian is the executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).