YEREVAN - Architectural plans for the new General Dro Leadership Institute here have been completed, according to the Institute's Board of Directors, which met recently. Once the plans are approved, it is expected that construction will begin immediately.

The Drastamat Kanayan Leadership Institute will be a first-rate school for training Armenia's future leadership from all areas of the government and society. This idea was conceived by Dro's family at the time Dro's remains were to be returned to Armenia for final internment. The late Armenian Prime Minister, Vazken Sarkissian, had suggested a monument, but Dro's son, Martin Kanayan, said the family decided that a school would be a more meaningful memorial for Dro.

According to the Board of Directors, $375,000 has already been donated across the United States and Canada and deposited into the Armenia Fund's USA and Toronto offices. The following is a list of donations by each city: New York/New Jersey $110,000; Detroit $60,000; Los Angeles $50,000; Kanayan Family $47,000; Boston $31,000; Washington, D.C. $30,000; Toronto $14,000; Montreal $14,000; Houston $11,000; San Francisco $8,000.

The Board of Trustees expressed words of thanks to the following individuals for their generous contributions: Mr. and Mrs. Vahak Hovnanian, Mr. and Mrs. Karl Sogoian, Col. and Mrs. Harry Sachaklian, Mr. and Mrs. John Manoogian, Mr. and Mrs. Varoujan Kchikian, ARF Detroit Chapter, and Mr. Sako Mardirossian.

Donations of $10,000 and up will be remembered by naming classrooms and learning centers in the Institute in the donor's honor or in memory of a loved one. Permanent plaques will be placed in the rooms with photo and family information.

An additional $150,000 is still needed to help complete the Institute quickly -- as soon as next spring if possible. Checks should be made payable to The Armenia Fund USA. Please indicate "General Dro Institute" in the memo area of the check and mail to Martin Kanayan, 13 Stonegate Park Court, Spring, Texas 77379.

In May 2000, the remains of General Dro found their final resting place in Bash Abaran, the place where his poorly equipped brigade of 3,000 soldiers routed a Turkish army of 10,000 men in 5 days of bloody warfare 82 years ago. Dro's leadership is credited with saving Armenia, allowing for the creation of the first Armenian Republic.

The people of Armenia who remember Dro from the stories their fathers and grandfathers had told them welcomed Dro with open arms. "This is where he belongs. He is home now. If it were not for Dro, we would not be here today" were the sentiments expressed by the thousands who welcomed him home.