AHEPANS honor the memory of nation’s war
heroes
WASHINGTON-The American Hellenic
Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the largest and oldest
association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, has
laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National
Cemetery since 1924, paying respect on behalf of the Greek-American
community to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and
liberty.
Ahepans Tom Owens (left) and
Demosthenes N. Kolaras (right) lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier with the assistance of the Honor Guard Specialist.
On Saturday, June 14, 2003, Flag Day in the United States, Supreme Governor Tom Owens, who represented Supreme President Dr. James F. Dimitriou, and former Executive Director and retired United States Navy Captain Demosthenes N. Kolaras carried on the annual tradition by placing a wreath at the Tomb with the assistance of the Honor Guard Specialist. Following its placement, an Honor Guard Bugler played Taps.
The Honor
Guard, Ahepans, and tourists all observe a moment of silence as Taps is
played by the Honor Guard Bugler.
"I
was honored to represent AHEPA and moved by the ceremony," said
Owens, an 18-year Ahepan and resident of Petersburg, Va., who is employed
by the U.S. Department of Defense. "I was extremely proud to
participate in honoring the fallen defenders of our freedom. They are true
examples of the Hellenic ideals of good citizenship and love of
country."
Owens
added that as a comptroller for the DOD, he hears firsthand about the
sacrifices that are made by our men and women in uniform and that any
effort to demonstrate our appreciation for them is warranted. He was also
pleased that his four-year-old daughter, Alexandra, witnessed the
ceremony, gaining a greater understanding of the purpose of the event.
The
day was put into perspective when Owens and Kolaras met four World War II
Prisoners of War from the Battle of Bastonge, better known as the
"Battle of the Bulge." The POWs participated in a wreath laying
ceremony earlier in the day.
"That
was an added bonus," said Owens about meeting the POWs. "Those
are some real heroes."
356
Gravesites Memorialized at Arlington Last Memorial Day, members of AHEPA
Chapter 31, Washington, DC, gathered to memorialize those identified as
Greek-Americans or Greek Orthodox who are buried at Arlington National
Cemetery. According to Kolaras, a 13-year member of Chapter 31, there are
roughly 356 gravesites at which AHEPA members present a bouquet of
artificial flowers and pause in remembrance of those who perished for our
nation. This ceremony has been performed annually since 1949.
The
mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism,
education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual
excellence. The AHEPA family consists of four organizations: AHEPA,
Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena.
For
more information about Arlington National Cemetery, please visit www.arlingtoncemetery.org.
For
more information about the AHEPA family, or how to join, please contact
AHEPA Headquarters, 202.232.6300, Ext. 211, or visit www.ahepa.org/joinahepa.
For instant information visit www.ahepa.org.
