NEWS IN ENGLISH: AHEPA Honors America’s Fallen Heroes
Ημερομηνία καταχώρησης 30-May-2007 @ 23:05:49 UTC από TGA News.com
WASHINGTON.— Members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) paid their respects on behalf of the American Hellenic community to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, democracy, and liberty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Since 1924, Ahepans have returned annually to Arlington for this memorial.
“I commend all the AHEPA members who properly honor and remember the memory of those brave souls of our country who sacrificed so much for freedom,” said AHEPA Supreme President Gus J. James,II.
Retired Army Colonel Nicholas P. Vamvakias and retired Navy Captain Demosthenes N. Kolaras, AHEPA’s Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis and Director of Communications Michael A. Zachariades, participated in the wreath laying ceremony. An Honor Guard Specialist assisted them. Following its placement, an Honor Guard Bugler played Taps.
“I was honored to participate in such a powerfully moving ceremony,” said Mossaidis. “As we pay respects to all the fallen soldiers of years past, we are here, at Arlington, to honor the brave men and women who are fighting today. They perform a great sacrifice and we are indebted to them for their service to our great nation.”
459 Gravesites Memorialized at Arlington
On Saturday, May 26, members of AHEPA Chapter 31, Washington, D.C. and Chapter 438, Arlington, VA., gathered to memorialize those identified as Greek-Americans or Greek Orthodox who are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. According to the Ahepans, there are roughly 459 gravesites at which Ahepans present a bouquet of flowers, bearing the AHEPA emblem, and pause in remembrance of those who perished for our nation. Ahepans have performed this ceremony annually since 1949. This year, Zachariades and two local Boy Scouts, also assisted.
Prior to leaving Arlington, Ahepans paid their respects at Section 60, which is the newly created part of the cemetery where all the service personnel who have lost their lives fighting for freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan are laid to rest.
This year, accompanying AHEPA to both ceremonies was Sotiris Danezis, Documentaries Producer of Warzone, MEGA TV. Mr. Danezis documented the events and interviewed Colonel Vamvakias about his service in Vietnam and his son’s, Major Praxetelis N. Vamvakias, current service in Iraq.
Ημερομηνία καταχώρησης 30-May-2007 @ 23:05:49 UTC από TGA News.com
WASHINGTON.— Members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) paid their respects on behalf of the American Hellenic community to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, democracy, and liberty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Since 1924, Ahepans have returned annually to Arlington for this memorial.
“I commend all the AHEPA members who properly honor and remember the memory of those brave souls of our country who sacrificed so much for freedom,” said AHEPA Supreme President Gus J. James,II.
Retired Army Colonel Nicholas P. Vamvakias and retired Navy Captain Demosthenes N. Kolaras, AHEPA’s Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis and Director of Communications Michael A. Zachariades, participated in the wreath laying ceremony. An Honor Guard Specialist assisted them. Following its placement, an Honor Guard Bugler played Taps.
“I was honored to participate in such a powerfully moving ceremony,” said Mossaidis. “As we pay respects to all the fallen soldiers of years past, we are here, at Arlington, to honor the brave men and women who are fighting today. They perform a great sacrifice and we are indebted to them for their service to our great nation.”
459 Gravesites Memorialized at Arlington
On Saturday, May 26, members of AHEPA Chapter 31, Washington, D.C. and Chapter 438, Arlington, VA., gathered to memorialize those identified as Greek-Americans or Greek Orthodox who are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. According to the Ahepans, there are roughly 459 gravesites at which Ahepans present a bouquet of flowers, bearing the AHEPA emblem, and pause in remembrance of those who perished for our nation. Ahepans have performed this ceremony annually since 1949. This year, Zachariades and two local Boy Scouts, also assisted.
Prior to leaving Arlington, Ahepans paid their respects at Section 60, which is the newly created part of the cemetery where all the service personnel who have lost their lives fighting for freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan are laid to rest.
This year, accompanying AHEPA to both ceremonies was Sotiris Danezis, Documentaries Producer of Warzone, MEGA TV. Mr. Danezis documented the events and interviewed Colonel Vamvakias about his service in Vietnam and his son’s, Major Praxetelis N. Vamvakias, current service in Iraq.
Comments