AHEPA e-News! - Vol. 12 Issue 27 - Wednesday, July 4, 2018

AHEPA e-News! - Vol. 12 Issue 27 - Wednesday, July 4, 2018

AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL  PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION A message from the Supreme President Wednesday, July 4, 2018 Contact: AHEPA Headquarters Phone: (202) 232-6300 Email: supremepresident@ahepa.org   Dear AHEPA Family, Supporters, and Friends:    Happy Independence Day! AHEPA wishes you a happy, safe, and fun Fourth of July -- whether you are celebrating in a parade, by the pool, or with a delicious barbecue.  However, in doing so, please take a moment to reflect upon what the holiday means and give thanks to those who made it possible.   The Founding Fathers of the United States drew heavily upon the ideal of democracy conceived by the ancient Greeks in addition to the works of Plato and Aristotle. The influence of Classical Education upon the thinking of the Founding Fathers is undeniable as evidenced by their writings and debates about how to form a republic. Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, thought of Greece as "the first of civilized nations [which] presented example of what man should be."   On this, the 242nd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we take a moment to reflect on the founding of the United States, the ideals and values that comprised our nation's founding, and remember our fellow Americans who have fought to secure, preserve and protect those ideals and values, which include: democracy, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, for 242 years. Learn more about the Declaration of Independence here.  Fraternally, Carl R. Hollister Supreme President Happy Independence Day! A Message from the Supreme President   Happy Independence Day! AHEPA wishes you a happy, safe, and fun Fourth of July -- whether you are celebrating in a parade, by the pool, or with a delicious barbecue.  However, in doing so, please take a moment to reflect upon what the holiday means and give thanks to those who made it possible.  read entire message AHEPA's Enduring Commitment to Thalassemia Research   The AHEPA Cooley's Anemia Foundation presented ALSAC--the fundraising and awareness organization founded by Danny Thomas for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital--with a $7,500 donation last week.  AHEPA Cooley's Anemia Foundation Chairman Ike Gulas, PSP, and Past District 1 Governor Constantine Zouboukos, presented the donation to ALSAC President/CEO Richard C. Shadyac Jr.  AHEPA will remain steadfast in its support for Thalassemia research until a cure is found. Meet us in A.C. for the 96th Supreme Convention.  More info | Meet our honorees! | 2018 National AHEPA Basketball Tournament Washington Update | Senate Appropriators, led by Van Hollen, Secure FY2019 IMET Funding for Greece  AHEPA applauds Senate appropriators for voting to strengthen U.S.-Greece military-to-military relations for the second consecutive year in their FY2019 State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Bill, announced Supreme President Carl Hollister.  Thanks to the advocacy of Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), the bill, if enacted, will maintain funding for Greece's International Military Education and Training (IMET) Program at $1 million.  If enacted, the $1 million appropriation would be the same amount as appropriated in FY2018. "We appreciate Senator Van Hollen for reaching across the aisle to work in bipartisan fashion with Senator Lindsey Graham, who chairs the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the program, to secure this critical funding again that bolsters relations between longtime NATO allies, United States and Greece," Hollister said. "Furthermore, we thank the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Richard Shelby, and Ranking Member Patrick Leahy, for advancing the bill out of committee." AHEPA on Twitter | Desecration of Holocaust Memorial in Thessaloniki Condemned Sad News | PSG Sergis Passes Away AHEPA mourns the passing of Past Supreme Governor Peter S. Sergis, Rockledge, Fla., June 26, 2018.  He was 84.  In addition to serving as Supreme Governor, Brother Sergis served as Citrus District 2 Governor for Florida.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the AHEPA National Educational Foundation, 1909 Q Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20009.  Brother Sergis' obituary  "We are saddened to learn of the passing of Brother Sergis," Supreme President Carl R. Hollister said. "He was a dedicated Ahepan, who served the Order in numerous capacities over the years. Our deepest sympathies are with the Sergis family.  May his memory be eternal." Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:                                            Upcoming Events & Deadlines 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.     Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo appears in new promotional video for Greek tourism Milwaukee Business Journal (June 29)   Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo appears in a new English-language video promoting tourism in Greece.  The video is for the Greek Tourism Ministry, according to a story at GTP Headlines. The promotional vehicle shows highlights of Antetokounmpo playing basketball - but not in an NBA game for the Bucks - and his personal invitation near both the beginning and the end of the one-minute video.  read more  US Ambassador Pyatt: US will help Greece recover  ANA-MPA (July 3) With the Greek and US national anthems, the celebrations of the 242nd anniversary of America's July 4 Independence Day started at the ambassador's house in Athens on Tuesday.  During his speech,  US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt referred to the strong bonds between Greece and the US.  read more Spain, Greece and Germany seal migrant swap deal Politico (June 30)    Spain, Greece and Germany struck a trilateral migration deal of "reciprocal cooperation" in addition to a wider EU migration deal reached at an EU summit Friday, the Spanish and Greek governments confirmed.  DPA, a Germany news agency, reported Saturday that Merkel has secured "rapid return" migration deals with 14 countries: Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden.  read more    Greece wants Parthenon Marbles back, Tsipras tells May  Reuters (June 26)    Greece wants the Parthenon Marbles back from the British Museum, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in London on Tuesday, trying to reinvigorate a longstanding campaign for the 2,500-year-old  treasures. British diplomat Lord Elgin removed the sculptures from the Acropolis in Athens in the early 19th century when Greece was under Ottoman rule.  read more  Energy Ministry announces winning bid for hydrocarbon exploration off Crete ANA-MPA (July 3) The ministerial decision announcing the winning bid of Hellenic Petroleum (HELPE), Total and Exxon Mobil consortium for hydrocarbon research off western and northwestern Crete was made on Tuesday.  read more   Plato Academy Head Steve Christopoulos Drowns in Costa Rica Greek Reporter (June 28)      Steve Christopoulos, the head of Plato Academy and CEO of Superior Schools in Florida, drowned in Costa Rica on Wednesday, the Greek Reporter has learned.  The Greek American was on vacation and his death was an accident, according to his close friend and Tarpon Springs Mayor Chris Alahouzos.  A great Hellene of Diaspora, Christopoulos led Plato Academy schools to become an unmatched pillar of Hellenism in the USA.  read more  Greek air force bolsters NATO mission in Afghanistan  Ekathimerini (June 28) The Hellenic Air Force has sent a team of technical advisers to Afghanistan in what is seen as tangible proof of Greece's commitment to supporting NATO in all of its operational fronts.  The initiative, which was hailed by US Ambassador to Athens Geoffrey Pyatt as a "strong and welcome signal" from the Greek Defense Ministry, was publicized via a video posted on the official account of NATO's Resolute Support Mission to Afghanistan.  read more  Louise Athens, Widow of Andrew Athens, Passed away at Age 94 The National Herald (July 3) Louise Athens, widow of Andrew Athens, passed away on June 30, at the age of 94. Son Paul Athens announced the sad news on social media, "Louise Athens, our wonderful mother and yiayia, passed away yesterday June 30th. She lived a wonderful life. She has joined the love of her life, Andrew Athens, and together they will continue to provide love and inspiration to all those they have touched in their storied lives. May her memory be eternal."  read more