AHEPANS
HONOR AMERICA'S VETERANS
Members Pay Their Respects
at Arlington National Cemetery, WWII Parade
AHEPA
Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis (left) and retired Army Colonel
Nicholas P. Vamvakias (second left) placing wreath in memorial to
America's fallen heroes at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington, Va.
WASHINGTON-During the past week,
members of the American Hellenic
Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the largest and
oldest
grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage
and
Philhellenes, paid their respects on behalf of the
Greek-American
community
to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, democracy, and
liberty. It was also an
opportunity to say "thank you."
On Monday, May 24, a wreath was placed at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
It is a memorial event that Ahepans have performed since 1924.
This year, retired Army Col. Nicholas P. Vamvakias and
Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis placed the wreath at the Tomb with
the assistance of the Honor Guard Specialist.
Following its placement, an Honor Guard Bugler played Taps.
"It's obviously an emotional experience," said Col.
Vamvakias. "Certainly my
thoughts were with the fine, upstanding, and brave men and women with whom
I've had the pleasure of serving during my military career.
I felt truly honored."
The colonel is the chapter president of AHEPA Col. Peter N.
Derzis Chapter 438, Arlington, Va. He
served two combat tours in Vietnam where he received numerous awards,
including the Silver Star, America's third-highest award for Valor. Vamvakias also received three awards of the Bronze Star, one
for Valor, and the Purple Heart. He
is employed with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
"I'm in awe of the experience," added Mossaidis
about the wreath laying.
"It is very moving to participate in this event and it's
one of the
greatest
honors anyone can perform."
356 Gravesites Memorialized at Arlington
On Saturday, May 29, 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 members of the chapter, 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. The chapter has performed this ceremony annually since 1949.
This
year, members from the AHEPA Chapter in Arlington, Virginia assisted.
AHEPA Participated in WWII Veterans Parade
On Memorial Day, AHEPA participated in the "Salute to
World War Two
Veterans
Parade" that occurred around the National Mall.
According to parade organizers, the purpose of the parade was to
honor and pay tribute to all World War II Veterans for their dedication
and service to our country.
"This was our way of saying 'thank you' to our World War
Two Veterans on behalf of a grateful Greek-American community," said
Mossaidis. "We were
especially proud when Greek-Americans along the parade route recognized us
and expressed their pride in being of Greek heritage too."
Ahepans marched alongside veterans' organizations such as the
American
Legion, Rolling Thunder, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars;
humanitarian organizations
like the American Red Cross, and a plethora of marching bands.
There was representation from all 50 States, the United
Kingdom, and
France.
More than 20,000 people participated.
During World War II, the AHEPA family received recognition and
Commendation
from the United States government when it raised over $162 million
in war bonds.
For more information about Arlington National Cemetery, please
visit
www.arlingtoncemetery.org.
For information about the WWII Veterans Parade, please visit
http://www.worldwar2parade.com/about.asp.
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.
