By Eva Fentouri
The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, Inc. On the Historic Bicentennial Anniversary of Greece’s Independence, we would like to thank and praise all of those Brave Souls that Fought in the great struggle for Greece’s Independence after nearly 400 years of Personal Familial, Cultural, Religious, Linguistic and Financial Occupation and Oppression at the boot of the Islamo-Turkish Ottoman Empire.
We shall never forget those who carried the life giving ember of Freedom, Democracy, Culture and Western Civilization glowing during this Dark Age for Greece. Moreover, we must never forget those Brave Souls who later left a Free yet poor Greece leaving behind its natural beauty and their loved ones to to travel the treacherous waters to his brave and beautiful Nation.
They came here poor and humble, yet Faithful to their God, their Good Name and their Hellenic Heritage. They came here not to take from America, but to work, earn and ultimately love America, their adopted home, that they have improved in so many ways.
Lastly, and to those Members of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, Inc., who saw fit to unite in the spirit of Hellenism over 80 years ago in order to regularly Commemorate the Great Struggle and Achievement of 1821 here in their adopted Land and Beloved City of New York so that their Children and the Children of the world may come to understand and respect the fact that if Greece, the mother of all That is good and valuable on this Earth is not Free, then none of us are truly Free.
We thank you all for your attention and participation on this Great Day of Remembrance. We thank all those who supported this now 25 years old that was sparked by a simple yet profound challenge to raise a Flag and a Flag Pole in the Spiritual Heart of New York City.
Raising Ceremony at Bowing Green Park New York City
Senior Dance Troop Directed by Elepheria Ekouta and Kosta Stergioulis
Louis Katsos AHEPA Empire State District Six Governor
His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America's
Honor.Alexis Phedonos Vadet, Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus
Jimmy Kokotas, Supreme Vice President of AHEPA
Dino Rallis,Past Independence Parade Chairman
Cleanthis Meimaroglou Administrator President Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York
Dr. Sam Chekwas official Ambassador of Hellenism
Arthur Piccolo,Chairman, Bowling Green Association
Theodore P. Klingos, President, AHEPA Delphi Chapter #25 Argyris, S. Argitakos, past-President of AHEPA Delphi Chapter # 25
Presention of the Flags: Xavier High School Regimental Color Guard Jonathan Walker, Steven Fernandez, Yahir Huerta, Salas Panagioti Athineos, As led by Lt.Col.Jacan Kelly
Hon. Κonstantinos Koutras, Consul General of the Republic of Greece
