Greek Americans Bring Policy Priorities to Capitol Hill
The AHEPA Family brought its public policy priorities to the attention of congressional legislators and their staffs during its annual Capitol Hill Day, May 16, 2018. The AHEPA Family's Capitol Hill Day has become an annual event since 2006. read press release CosmosPhilly coverage
AHEPA Condemns Attack on Thessaloniki Mayor
In a statement issued May 20, 2018, AHEPA condemned the attack by extremists on Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris. read statement The National Herald coverage
AHEPA Provides Public Health Aid to Puerto Rico
AHEPA Chapter 537, Puerto Rico, raised and donated $16,000 to the University Pediatric Hospital in San Juan for a neonatal incubator. University Pediatric Hospital cares for many premature babies throughout the Caribbean because it is one of the best facilities to provide such care in the region. Unfortunately, much of the hospital's equipment was damaged or lost due to Hurricane Maria.
AHEPA on Twitter | State Dept. Statement on U.S.-Greece Relations
Read the State Department's statement
Sad News | PSG James Gaz Passes Away
AHEPA mourns the passing of two-term Past Supreme Governor James Gaz, who died peacefully in Ketchum, Idaho, May 8, 2018. He was 95. An AHEPA Life Member, most recently of Chapter 154, Portland, Ore. Brother Gaz also served as Firwood District 22 Governor, encompassing Washington, Oregon and Alaska; and prior to its consolidation, District 19. His AHEPA career began as a member of the Junior Order, the Sons of Pericles, and even organized skiing trips for the AHEPA Athletics Department.
"We are deeply saddened with the news of Brother Gaz's passing away," Supreme President Carl R. Hollister said. "Brother Gaz will be remembered for his passion for AHEPA and for representing the Brothers of the Pacific Northwest with zeal and diligence for decades. Our deepest sympathies are with his family. May his memory be eternal." Brother Gaz's obituary
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. Call 609.441.5000 to make reservations. learn more PDF Register Today!
Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:
The Ahepan
Check out the spring 2018 edition of The Ahepan. Catch a recap of from the Third International Leadership Mission, highlights from veterans being honored across the country, and preview the 96th Annual Supreme Convention in Atlantic City, N.J.! And see what our chapters are doing around the world in service to their communities in the Chapter News section! read it here
Upcoming Events & Deadlines
May
24 | AHEPA Honors America's Fallen Heroes: Wreath-laying at Tomb of Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery
26 | AHEPA Honors America's Fallen Heroes: Memorials at Arlington National Cemetery Gravesites
June
22 | Supreme Convention Registration Deadline
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.
Four charged in Greece over attack on Thessaloniki mayor
Associated Press (May 21)
Greek authorities charged four men Monday over a weekend mob attack on the 75-year-old mayor of the country's second-largest city, carried out in an apparent venting of nationalist sentiment. The suspects, aged between 17 and 36, were formally accused of grievous bodily harm and breach of the peace over Saturday's attack on Yiannis Boutaris. The mayor of Thessaloniki required hospital treatment after being thrown to the ground, kicked and punched by about 12 people during a ceremony honoring Greek victims of mass killings by Turks during World War I. read more
Greece Steps Closer to Completing Bailout Review
Wall Street Journal (May 20)
Greece and its international creditors have reached an initial agreement on the reforms Athens must adopt thus paving the way for the completion of the bailout review, the country's last after an eight-year bailout regime. A delegation from the European Commission, the European Central Bank-the eurozone's bailout fund-and the International Monetary Fund reached a technical agreement late Saturday with Greek officials. read more
Commentary | The state we're in
Ekathimerini (May 21)
Sure, the fascists who punched and kicked Yiannis Boutaris while he was down had nothing to do with the Pontic Greek movement, nothing to do with Thessaloniki or northern Greece. They were aliens from another planet who landed in the northern port city on Saturday. Who are we trying to kid and for how long will we keep on kidding ourselves, when the snake is already out of its basket and spitting venom? read more
Chicago Tech Entrepreneur John Roa Announces Plans for €50 Million Investment in Greece's Hospitality Sector at Greek America Foundation National Innovation Conference
Pappas Post (May 17)
Using the platform of the Greek America Foundation's recent National Innovation Conference in Philadelphia, tech entrepreneur John Roa announced during his fireside chat that although he's already invested upwards of €10m in Greece, he's planning a lot more. read more
Greek soldiers held in Turkey 'should have come home,' says Pyatt
Hellas Journal (May 16)
The United States views Greece as a pillar of stability in the region and the two countries "share a compelling interest" in supporting regional energy infrastructure projects, U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt said on Wednesday during his inaugural speech at the Prometheus Energy Lecture, organised by the University of Piraeus. In statements at the event, he was also referred to Greece's troubled relations with Turkey and the continued "unacceptable" detention of the two Greek soldiers in Turkey. "I think for the United States, thinking about the challenge of Turkey's strategic direction, we have no greater ally than Greece," Pyatt said. read more
First Grand Hyatt Hotel in Greece to Open in Athens
Greek Travel Pages (May 22)
The first Grand Hyatt branded hotel in Greece, the Grand Hyatt Athens, will open in the Greek capital by September this year, Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced on Tuesday. read more
Gust C. Kraras, Archon, WWII Vet, Ahepan, Passed Away at 97
The National Herald (May 12)
Gust C. Kraras, 97, passed away May 5, 2018, surrounded by his loving family in his Wyomissing residence.His wife, Stella G. (Dialectos) Kraras, passed away August 13, 2011. They weremarried on April 28, 1946.Born in Terpsithea, Greece, he was a son of the late Christ J. and Ypapanti (Contos) Kraras. Kraras proudly served in the U.S. Armyduring World War II in the OSS, a precursor to the CIA.A self-educated businessman, Gust was the patriarch of the Kraras family businesses. read more
Popular Greek comedian Harry Klynn dies at age 78
ABC News via Associated Press (May 21)
Greek comedian Harry Klynn, who for decades poked fun at his countrymen and their political leaders, has died at age 78 in his native city of Thessaloniki. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras expressed condolences for Klynn's family after the comedian's death Monday. read more
