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AHEPA to Sponsor Greek Firefighters' Training Program For the third time in the last six years, a contingent of volunteer firefighters from Greece will have the opportunity to learn strategies and tactics held at the Union Fire District (UFD) Training Ground in Rhode Island. AHEPA's sponsorship of the training sessions provides housing, transportation and meals for the visiting firefighters. They will arrive Oct. 22, 2017 and will spend the week exchanging ideas and strategies before departing Oct. 29, 2017.  "It is vital for Greece's volunteer firefighters to receive the best training possible, especially as the country is no stranger to wildfires," Supreme President Carl R. Hollister said. "I'm proud of the role AHEPA plays to make their opportunity to learn optimal training strategies and techniques a reality."   With the assistance of the National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) International Relations Committee, and financial sponsorship from AHEPA, the leaders of the Union Fire District of South Kingstown, R.I., have been planning these special training sessions with the Union of Hellenic Fire Service Volunteers.  The NVFC and the UFD are committed to fostering relationships with the international fire service community. You can still help. AHEPA's goal is to raise $15,000. Donations can be made to AHEPA Hartford Foundation, Inc.; earmarked for the Hellenic Firefighters Program. Mail to:  14-B Hartung Place Old Lyme, CT 06371. This is a 501(c)3 tax deductible organization. Program History. AHEPA's history of lending support to the Union of Hellenic Fire Service Volunteers began when wildfires ravaged Greece in 2008. AHEPA's financial support of Operation Hellenic Expedition I and II occurred on two occasions--in 2011 and 2013. AHEPA Welcomes Congressman Messer to Hellenic Caucus AHEPA welcomes news that U.S. Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN) has joined the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, announced Supreme President Carl R. Hollister. The congressman represents the 6th Congressional District of Indiana, which is a large, 19-county region. Membership in the Hellenic Caucus now stands at 128.   "We sincerely thank Congressman Messer for joining the Hellenic Caucus," Hollister said. "We look forward to working with him, and his staff, on issues of importance to the American Hellenic community." AHEPA Statement on Las Vegas Mass Shooting Supreme President Carl R. Hollister issued the following statement: "Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with the families of the victims and all those who have been affected by the unconscionable and heinous act of violence in Las Vegas, which has become the deadliest mass shooting in American history. The American Hellenic community stands with the Las Vegas community during this most difficult time and commends the city's first responders." Condolences Letter to Representative Titus (NV-1) Take Action! | AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund Open AHEPA has opened its Emergency Relief Fund to provide assistance to hurricane victims. read more  donate online

Upcoming Events & Deadlines October  20-22 | Archon Weekend in New York City 25 | Deadline: Winter Issue of The Ahepan Join AHEPA Today! In Our Own Words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now Greek American News Digest    Editor's Note: Editorials, Commentaries, and Opinion pieces are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members.   Tsipras to meet Trump in Washington in October-gov't sources ANA-MPA (Sept. 29)  Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will pay a visit to the United States in the second half of October for a meeting U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, following an official invitation, government sources said on Friday.  read more   Greece: Joint air force drills with Cyprus, Egypt, Israel ABC News via Associated Press (Oct. 1)  Greece's defense minister says plans are being drawn up for joint air force drills with Cyprus, Israel, Egypt and other European countries as part of efforts to bolster stability in the eastern Mediterranean. read more Cyprus peace talks will resume, says President Anastasiades Cyprus Mail (Oct. 1)  The process aiming at a solution of the Cyprus problem will be resumed, President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades has said. In a televised address on the occasion of Cyprus' Independence Day, celebrated on the 1st of October with a military parade, the President said that the failure to reach an agreement at the Crans Montana talks, held in June-July in Switzerland, will not halt the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side, which is ready to participate in the talks with the same strength and creativity.  read more   Commentary | The Case For Classics: The Relevance Of Ancient Greece In Today's World WBUR (Sept. 27)  Once upon a time, classics was viewed by the Western world as the strongest educational foundation, a portal to a civilized life and a high-level career. But even when I majored in Ancient Greek many decades ago, the classics department was small, and by now, the field has come to seem outmoded - "irrelevant," I think, is the operative word.  read more