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The National Herald Interviews SP Loucas Supreme President George E. Loucas holds a unique place in the history of the organization along with his namesake grandfather, as the first grandfather and grandson elected supreme president. He spoke with The National Herald about his life and the family's longstanding involvement in AHEPA that proved pivotal in his life's journey so far. read the interview    AHEPA Happenings | District 4 Mass Initiation Supreme President George E. Loucas, Supreme Secretary George Horiates, Supreme Governor George Papaspyrou, District 4 Governor Charles Mackenzie, and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis presided over a mass initiation ceremony held in Harrisburg, Pa., Nov. 19. Congratulations and welcome to our new brothers!   ICYMI | Giving Thanks for Your Support At this time of year, we are reminded that we have plenty for which to be thankful. We are especially grateful to our volunteer members who give unselfishly of their time and resources in service to the community ... read Supreme President Loucas's Thanksgiving message Also: Gratitude and Appreciation of American Values at AHEPA Family Thanksgiving Dinner (GreekNews Online) Did You Miss It?  The Ahepan Fall 2018 Catch highlights from the 96th Supreme Convention, our visits to devastated areas of Attica and Thessaloniki in support for USA-Thessaloniki International Fair 2018, and, of course, see how our chapters are working to strengthen their communities through service. check it out    Congressional Hellenic Caucus Membership is 126. Help It Grow.    Although Congress is heading into the homestretch of the 115th Congress, there is still time to increase the membership of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues. The Hellenic Caucus has been an active, bipartisan group in Congress since its founding in 1995.  It is co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and its co-founder, Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).   Membership in the Hellenic Caucus stands at 126.   Is your U.S. representative a member?  Click here to find out. Download & Share: Action Alert to help you outreach to your U.S. representative  Don't forget to follow AHEPA on social media:

Join AHEPA Today! In Our Own Words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now Upcoming Events & Deadlines   December  11 | New Realities in the Eastern Mediterranean - Supreme President George Loucas and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis will speak at an international conference held in Jerusalem 31 | Membership submission year-end deadline January 4-6 | Epiphany events, Tarpon Springs, Fla. February  1 | Deadline for the spring 2019 issue of The Ahepan 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.     US supports Cyprus' right to develop its natural wealth Cyprus Mail Online (Nov. 16)  US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Francis Fannon reiterated his government's support to the Republic of Cyprus' right to develop its natural wealth, adding that his country promotes energy developments in the Eastern Mediterranean region as a matter of priority.  read more   Turkey warns ExxonMobil against drilling with Greek Cypriots Associated Press (Nov.18)   Turkey's Foreign Ministry has cautioned an international energy company against cooperating with the government of Cyprus in its search for gas.  Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said Sunday that the exploratory drilling ExxonMobil has started in the eastern Mediterranean "did not contribute to the region's stability" and could change "sensitive balances."  read more    Two sea scouts accept inaugural John McCain Prize on behalf of Lesvos GreekNews Online (Nov. 18)   Two sea scouts from the island of Lesvos, 18-year-old Xenophon Koukoutas and Yiannis Svoros, on Saturday accepted the inaugural John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service on behalf of the residents of their entire island, for their "heroic support of refugees fleeing mayhem throughout the Middle East and Africa."  The prize was presented by the wife of the late Senator John S. McCain, Cindy McCain, at the 10th annual Halifax International Security Forum held in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  read more    Cyprus gets back looted 6th century mosaic of St. Mark Associated Press (Nov. 18)   The communications minister of Cyprus says a rare 6th-century portrait mosaic of St. Mark which was looted from an Orthodox Christian church more than four decades ago has returned intact to the Mediterranean island nation.  read more     US backs Cyprus's right to develop resources, Pyatt says Ekathimerini (Nov. 15)   Washington supports Cyprus's right to develop its resources in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt said Thursday.  "The US has been very clear, Washington has spoken repeatedly and consistently in terms of our support for the right of Cyprus to exploit its continental shelf and its resources," Pyatt said during a conversation with Kathimerini English Edition Editor in Chief, Tom Ellis, during the Thessaloniki Summit in Greece's northern port city. read more    A stitch in time: Cyprus' Lefkaritiko lace faces grim future Associated Press (Nov. 19)   Legend has it that the intricate needlework used in embroidery known as 'Lefkaritiko lace' was of such high quality that Leonardo Da Vinci himself bought a tablecloth when he visited this mountainous village in the late 15th century and gifted it to Milan's cathedral.  Local merchant Demosthenes Rouvis contends that the zig-zag pattern adorning the tablecloth on which Jesus Christ and his disciples dine in Da Vinci's masterpiece "The Last Supper" closely resembles those found on "Lefkaritiko" embroidery.  read more  Significant Increase in U.S. Students Studying in Greece The Pappas Post (Nov. 19) There has been a significant increase in the number of American university students visiting Greece for study abroad programs, according to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, a State Department-funded portal that tracks the movements of U.S. students and scholars abroad.  read more   Young Greek American builds a body shop empire and fulfills a promise made to his father Hellenic News of America (Nov. 15)   Today, 32-year-old Peter Kathopoulis has made good on that promise. What started under his father as a single garage with one part-time employee has turned into a thriving collision repair business.  read more