AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION:Greek Independence Day 2018

AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL   PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION A message from the desk of Supreme President Carl R. Hollister Sunday, March 25, 2018

Greek Independence Day 2018 In 1821, after nearly 400 years of Ottoman oppression, the Greeks bound together under a flag bearing the cross to fight for freedom and justice in the land which gave the world democracy. Like the revolution which took place in America 45 years earlier, Greece would embark on a journey forever linking our two countries in their struggle for freedom and independence.   The Founding Fathers of the United States of America drew upon the ideals and principles forged in ancient Greece in constructing our nation. Thomas Jefferson called ancient Greece "the light which led ourselves out of Gothic darkness." All who cherish a free and democratic government are beneficiaries of Greece's legacy and thus should consider themselves Philhellenes.  This is why Americans fought and died alongside the Greeks during their struggle for freedom in the Greek War of Independence. The Greeks received the support of Jefferson, President James Monroe, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, and U.S. Representatives Daniel Webster and Henry Clay. The Greek Flag is raised in New Britain,Connecticut   Throughout history, Greece and the United States have stood shoulder-to-shoulder to face the challenges of an ever-changing world. Greece had been allied with the United States in every major conflict of the 20th century. The strong alliance continues into the 21st century. Greece, via NSA Souda Bay, Crete, and other military capabilities, has contributed significantly to NATO and United States missions, including peacekeeping operations, in an ever-increasingly important region of the world.  Greece continues to do so amid two crises, economic and migratory.  And we can be equally proud how the people of Greece have responded--with care, compassion, and philotimo deemed worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.    In celebration of the 197th anniversary of Greece's independence, AHEPA family chapters, districts, and the Greek diaspora, are working together to promote parades worldwide, to secure Proclamations from state and local governments, to organize flag-raising ceremonies at various State Capitols and City Halls, and to lay wreaths at memorial sites.  Indeed, AHEPA members worldwide promote and sustain the celebration of this historic day for all Hellenes. The AHEPA Family of Mobile, Alabama prepares to raise the Greek Flag at Government Plaza in Mobile. In closing, we sincerely thank President Donald J. Trump, who hosted a White House  reception and issued a Proclamation in recognition of Greek Independence Day on March 22.  In addition, the U.S. Department of State recognized Greek Independence with a statement issued by Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan.  The American Hellenic community also is grateful to the members of Congress who took the time to commemorate Greek Independence Day with speeches on the Senate or House Floors.   In the U.S. Senate, a resolution that commemorates Greek Independence authored by U.S. Senator District 10 Ahepans at the Michigan State Capitol, Lansing. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), has been introduced, and we anticipate its passage.  We are grateful to Senators Menendez and Barrasso for their sponsorship, along with the resolution's 20 other co-sponsors.   Finally, I also ask Hellenes throughout the Diaspora to take a moment to acknowledge and pay their respects to those who sacrificed which allowed freedom and democracy to take root-once again-in Greece in 1821.  Zhto H Ellas!    Fraternally,    Carl R. Hollister Supreme President

AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION

AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL
PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION

March 23, 2018

AHEPA Family Celebrates Greek Independence Day at
White House




The AHEPA family with U.S. Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis.
WASHINGTON, DC -- The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the leading membership-based service association for the nation's millions of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, and its affiliated organizations, celebrated the 197th Anniversary of Greek Independence with the American Hellenic community at a White House ceremony held March 22, 2018. President Donald J. Trump and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Geron of America, provided remarks.

"We sincerely thank President Trump for hosting the event and for issuing a Proclamation that calls on the people of the United States to observe Greek Independence Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities," Supreme President Carl R. Hollister said. "We also commend the president for: expressing his appreciation for the 'countless positive contributions' of Greek Americans to the United States and the vital role Greek American have played in maintaining the United States' strong relationship with Greece; for recognizing Greece's value as a NATO ally, especially as hosts at NSA Souda Bay; for citing 70 years of Fulbright Greece and the United States as Honored Country at the 2018 Thessaloniki International Fair; and for acknowledging the inspiration the Founding Fathers took from Hellenic principles and the ancient Greeks."

READ: Presidential Proclamation
READ: President Trump's remarks
WATCH: Video excerpt of President Trump's remarks (entire remarks via C-SPAN)

Several AHEPA family national officers attended the ceremony with Supreme President Hollister, wife, Cynthia, and daughter, Alexandra, including: Daughters of Penelope Grand President Eva Jean Fomalont, Sons of Pericles Supreme President Bill Poulos III, Maids of Athena Grand President Sophia Shakolas, Daughters of Penelope Grand Vice President Demi Thomas, Supreme Secretary George Horiates, Esq., Supreme Treasurer Jimmy Kokotas, Past Supreme President Andrew C. Zachariades, AHEPA National Housing Corporation President Angelo Kostarides, and Daughters of Penelope Executive Director Elena Saviolakis.




Archbishop Demetrios looks on as President Trump offers remarks.





(L-R): Supreme President Hollister, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, and National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Dr. Anthony Limberakis.

Hollister added, "AHEPA values the fact that representatives of the American Hellenic community have been welcome to the White House since AHEPA's meeting with President Calvin Coolidge in 1924. This recognition demonstrates that the Office of the Presidency has valued the American Hellenic community, its concerns, and its many contributions to the tapestry that is America since the time American Hellenes became organized and mobilized in the United States."

AHEPA Mourns Passing of ANHC Chairman Emeritus Nick M. Stratas

AHEPA Mourns Passing of ANHC Chairman Emeritus Nick M. Stratas

	Brother Stratas accepting his AHEPA Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Supreme Convention, Orlando, Fla.

AHEPA mourns the passing of Chairman Emeritus of the AHEPA National Housing Corporation Nick M. Stratas, who passed away March 22, 2018.  He was 85.  Brother Stratas was a 41-year member of the chapter that proudly bears his name, Nick M. Stratas Chapter 310, Mobile, Ala.

 

"A pillar of the Greek American community, Brother Stratas unselfishly devoted his time and energy giving back to the community at-large, most notably through his decades of leadership guiding AHEPA's successful affordable housing for the elderly program," Hollister said, adding that Brother Stratas served as a mentor to him. "Brother Stratas was an exemplary Ahepan, who served the Order faithfully and passionately, and cared deeply about his Hellenic roots.  Our deepest sympathies are with his wife, Mary "Titsa," and the entire Stratas family. May his memory be eternal."

 

In 2017, Brother Stratas received the AHEPA Lifetime Achievement Award for his instrumental work with the AHEPA National Housing program from its inception and for his philanthropic support of Penelope House, the first domestic violence shelter in Alabama.  He helped bring to fruition AHEPA 310 Apartments in Mobile, Ala., which opened in 1985.  He served as president of AHEPA of Mobile, Inc., which developed 13 elderly housing properties throughout greater Mobile that are administered under the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 202 program.  In addition, Brother Stratas served as president of AHEPA National Housing Corporation (ANHC) from 1983 to 2009, and again, 2010 to 2012. The AHEPA National Housing program has grown to include 95 HUD 202 properties in 21 states.

 

Brother Stratas was also an integral contributor to the Greek American community of Mobile's construction of Hippocrates Park, which is located by the Medical Sciences and Health Sciences buildings at the University of South Alabama. Nick M. Stratas Chapter 310 donated the statue of Hippocrates that stands in the park.

AHEPA Regional Banquet Honors Excellence in Ohio

AHEPA Regional Banquet Honors Excellence in Ohio AHEPA held its latest in a series of Regional Banquets in Columbus, Ohio, at the Ohio Statehouse, March 17, where excellence in leadership and service were honored, announced Supreme President Carl R. Hollister.  In addition, proceeds from the banquet benefited The Ohio State University Department of Classics for the purpose of permanently endowing a chair for the department's Modern Greek Program, and the Junior Orders of AHEPA, the Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena. "We congratulate and commend our distinguished honorees, who represent the best in leadership and service to the community and who are an inspiration to us all," Supreme President Hollister said. He also thanked the banquet's host committee and anonymous sponsors for making the event a success.   The honorees were: Michael Stinziano and Doug Preisse, each received the AHEPA Friendship Award, for their dedicated an unwavering support of the Hellenic community throughout Ohio. Hon. Zack T. Space, former U.S. representative, received the AHEPA Excellence in Public Service Award, as he continues to serve the public in an exemplary manner. Past Supreme Secretary Nicholas Alexander received the AHEPA Excellence in Education Award for spearheading the development of the Modern Greek Program at The Ohio State University since 1973, and he continues to help the program grow. Christopher Brown, Ph.D., lecturer, The Ohio State University Department of Classics, received the AHEPA Excellence in Classical Studies Award for his passion for teaching the Classics; and Past Supreme President Franklin Manios received the inaugural AHEPA-Gus Maggos Excellence Award for his significant contributions to the Order of AHEPA, including its scholarship and athletics programs. The award is named in honor of the late Brother Gus Maggos, an Ahepan who left his job to sell $50 million in World War II Bonds and received recognition from President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Brother Gus J. Lazares served as Master of Ceremonies.  More than 230 persons attended the event, which included a reception in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda. The Ohio Statehouse is built in the Greek Rival style, a type of architectural design inspired by ancient Greek buildings. Read the entire news release with additional images Greek Independence Day Celebrations 2018 Annually, AHEPA family chapters, districts, and our communities, work together to promote parades across the country, to secure Proclamations from state and local governments, to organize flag-raising ceremonies at various State Capitols and City Halls, or to lay wreaths at memorial sites.  Please let us know how your community is celebrating the 197th anniversary of Greek Independence.  Submit your photos, with brief captions, to admin@ahepa.org. London Calling: AHEPA Chapter Assists with DOP Chapter Installation Over the weekend, Brothers from AHEPA Apollon Chapter 602, London, England assisted with the installation of the Daughters of Penelope's newest chapter, Eleni Chapter 440, London. DOP Thetis Chapter 439, Brussels, Belgium, also assisted.  Congratulations to the AHEPA Family of London, England! Register Today! | AHEPA Family Supreme Convention   Make sure you are caught-up on the details of the 96th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, July 22 to 27, 2018, Atlantic City, N.J. Harrah's Hotel & Casino will play host for our annual meeting.  learn more  PDF  Register Today! Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:

Program Announcements 2018 National Scholarship Application Available The AHEPA National Educational Foundation announced its 2018 scholarship application is available. The deadline to apply for an AHEPA National Educational Foundation scholarship is March 31, 2018.Become one of many students who received a national AHEPA scholarship since the foundation's inception.  Apply Today! AHEPA Journey to Greece 2018 Session Journey to Greece this summer with AHEPA and Webster University! Earn college credit while traveling to a whole host of iconic ancient Greek sites and beautiful Greek locations. The 2018 session runs June 23 to July 21. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2018. Apply Today!  Share: Our 2018 Journey to Greece Promo Video 2018 AHEPAcademy Session | Apply Today! Join a select group of Greek American students from across the country for AHEPAcademy, June 24 to 30, 2018, George Mason University, outside Washington, DC.  Learn more Application Deadline: April 15, 2018 Share: AHEPAcademy Promo Video (via Facebook) Apply Today! Upcoming Events & Deadlines March 22 | Greek Independence Day Reception at the White House 31 | AHEPA National Educational Foundation Scholarship Deadline April 15 | AHEPAcademy Application Deadline 30 | AHEPA Journey to Greece 2018 Session Application Deadline May 16 | AHEPA Family Capitol Hill Day July 22 - 28 | 96th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, Atlantic City, N.J. 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.     Historic 'Macedonia is Greece' Rally Held in New York Greek Reporter (March 18)      Thousands of Greek Americans held a rally in New York to express their opposition to any use of the word "Macedonia" in the negotiations currently under way between the governments of Greece and the FYROM.  read more    Greek Opposition Leader Promotes Corporate Tax Reduction  Bloomberg Politics (March 15) The reduction of corporate taxation from 29 percent to 20 percent in two years and the implementation of an aggressive reform agenda will be priorities for Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of Greece's main opposition party, if he comes into power.  There is a "distinct possibility" elections will take place in the second half of 2018, Mitsotakis said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.  read more  US ambassador says hopes for resolution on Greek soldiers held in Turkey Ekathimerini (March 20) US Ambassador in Athens Geoffrey Pyatt on Tuesday said that the United States is "fully engaged" over the issue of two Greek soldiers who are in custody in Turkey after being arrested earlier this month for accidentally crossing the border.  read more Greece: 16 migrants die as smuggling boat sinks in Aegean ABC News (March 17)   A smuggling boat sank Saturday off a Greek island, killing at least 16 migrants including children, and a search-and-rescue operation was underway to find two others believed missing.  The wooden boat was believed to have been carrying around 21 people when it sank for reasons that were not immediately clear off the coast of the eastern Aegean island of Agathonisi, the Greek coast guard said. Three people - two women and one man - managed to swim to the island and alert authorities.  read more US supports Cyprus in its search for offshore gas ABC News  (March 16)   A senior U.S. State Department official has repeated Washington's support for Cyprus' right to carry out an offshore search for oil and gas.  Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell told reporters after talks with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on Friday that the U.S. also wants to see a resumption of talks to reunify the ethnically divided island nation.  Mitchell's remarks come amid Turkey's strong opposition to what it calls a "unilateral" Greek Cypriot search for hydrocarbons that doesn't directly involve breakaway Turkish Cypriots.  read more    Cyprus: Eni committed to gas search despite Turkey's dissent Washington Post  (March 15)   Italian company Eni is committed to carrying on its search for gas off the east Mediterranean island of Cyprus despite Turkey's strong opposition, the Cypriot government said Thursday.  A statement said Eni is "determined to fulfill its obligations" under its contracts with Cyprus to carry out exploratory drilling in six areas off Cyprus where it has been licensed do to so.  read more  Peter G. Peterson, a Power From Wall St. to Washington, Dies at 91 New York Times (March 20) Peter G. Peterson, the billionaire financier and philanthropist who combined a spectacular career in industry and Wall Street with public policymaking and dogged advocacy of government fiscal prudence, died on Tuesday at his home in Manhattan. He was 91.   read more     Assassin's Creed may go to Greece in 2019 Techradar (March 19)   Part of the fun of the Assassin's Creed series is guessing where and when the next title may be set. If recent rumors are anything to go by the next installment could take players to ancient Greece in 2019.  read more  Video | Greek Gymnast Lefteris Petrounias Wins Another Gold Greek Reporter (March 17) 'Lord of the Rings' Lefteris Petrounias added another Gold Medal to his distinguished career winning the ring competition at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Baku, Azerbajian.  read more

AHEPA meets with Greece's Ambassador to U.S.

AHEPA meets with Greece's Ambassador to U.S. (L-R): Supreme Treasurer George Horiates, Esq., Ambassador of Greece to U.S. Haris Lalacos, Supreme President Carl R. Hollister, and Supreme Secretary Jimmy Kokotas. AHEPA Supreme Lodge officers and Board of Trustees members, led by Supreme President Carl R. Hollister, met with Ambassador of Greece to the United States Haris Lalacos at the Embassy of Greece, Washington, DC, March 9.    "We sincerely appreciate the generous amount of time Ambassador Lalacos afforded us to discuss Greece's geopolitical challenges and the latest developments in the eastern Mediterranean, prospects to achieve stability in the region, and relations between NATO allies United States and Greece, which remain quite strong and where there is sustained cooperation at the highest levels of government," Supreme President Hollister said. "The discussion was informative and insightful." Register Today! | AHEPA Family Supreme Convention   Make sure you are caught-up on the details of the 96th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, July 22 to 27, 2018, Atlantic City, N.J. Harrah's Hotel & Casino will play host for our annual meeting.  learn more  PDF  Register Today! Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:

Program Announcements 2018 National Scholarship Application Available The AHEPA National Educational Foundation announced its 2018 scholarship application is available. The deadline to apply for an AHEPA National Educational Foundation scholarship is March 31, 2018.Become one of many students who received a national AHEPA scholarship since the foundation's inception.  Apply Today! Call for Applications | Athletic Hall of Fame Honors   Annually, AHEPA inducts outstanding athletes of Hellenic heritage into the AHEPA Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame.  Do you know a former athlete worthy to join the ranks of 135 members of the AHEPA Athletic Hall of Fame? Nominate him or her today! AHEPA Athletic Hall of Fame Nominee Form (Deadline: March 15) AHEPA Journey to Greece 2018 Session Journey to Greece this summer with AHEPA and Webster University! Earn college credit while traveling to a whole host of iconic ancient Greek sites and beautiful Greek locations. The 2018 session runs June 23 to July 21. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2018. Apply Today!  Share: Our 2018 Journey to Greece Promo Video 2018 AHEPAcademy Session | Apply Today! Join a select group of Greek American students from across the country for AHEPAcademy, June 24 to 30, 2018, George Mason University, outside Washington, DC.  Learn more Early Application Deadline: March 15, 2018 Application Deadline: April 15, 2018 Share: AHEPAcademy Promo Video (via Facebook) Apply Today! Upcoming Events & Deadlines March 15 | Early Deadline: AHEPAcademy 2018 Session 17 | AHEPA Regional Banquet, Columbus, Ohio 31 | AHEPA National Educational Foundation Scholarship Deadline May 16 | AHEPA Family Capitol Hill Day July 22 - 28 | 96th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention, Atlantic City, N.J. 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.     Greeks vent fury over soldiers being 'held hostage' in Turkey The Guardian (March 12)    Protesters have taken to the streets of northern Greece demanding the release of two Greek soldiers detained by Turkey, amid rising tensions between the two countries.  Greece's defence minister, Panos Kammenos, described the pair as "hostages" and ordered border patrols to be stepped up along the heavily defended land frontier the two nations share.  read more   Battered for a decade, Greece feels an unexpected whiff of revival as Europe gains strength  Washington Post (March 8) It's nearly springtime in Athens: Street trees are heavy with citrus, wildflowers are erupting in the pine-scented hills and the air is thick with talk of a Greek exit.  But not the kind of exit that has preoccupied the country, and Europe, in so many seasons past.   Instead of Greece crashing out of the euro zone, and perhaps taking the currency's credibility with it, the country is on the verge of something many never thought possible - a successful exit from the bailouts that have kept its debt-ridden economy afloat for the better part of a decade.  read more  Energy on the agenda of US official's visit to Cyprus Cyprus Mail (March 12)   The US chief diplomat for European and Eurasian affairs Wess Mitchell will be in Cyprus on Friday as part of a tour that includes visits to Pristina, Skopje, Belgrade and Athens taking place this week.  According to a statement issued by the US State Department, the assistant secretary of state will meet senior officials in Cyprus "to discuss bilateral and regional issues, including the development of energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean."   read more  Greece Facing Dual Challenge Ekathimerini  (March 12) Delphi was always a good place to go to be forewarned of the challenges the future might hold. This year's annual Delphi Economic Forum should have helped crystallize in Greek decision-makers' minds the two main tests they will have to overcome going forward. The first is to negotiate the final stretch of the third program successfully. The second is to navigate the country on a safe and rewarding course once it exits the relative protection the bailouts have provided.  read more Video | Greek warrior's mortal combat BBC Two  (February 28) Pylos Combat Agate is one of the finest works of prehistoric Greek art ever discovered.  Watch the video!      Israel expects decision on East Med gas pipeline to Europe in 2019 Reuters (March 8)   Israel expects a decision to go ahead with the construction of a 2,000 kilometer (1,243 mile) pipeline linking vast eastern Mediterranean gas resources to Europe to be made by early 2019, Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz told Reuters.  The pipeline, which will cross from Israel and Cyprus into Greece and Italy in deep waters, would mark a major milestone for the rapidly developing gas industry in the Levantine Basin in the east corner of the Mediterranean, offering access to a large market.  read more