AHEPA Applauds Secretary of State Pompeo's Visit to Greece

 

Vol. 14 Issue 39 | Wednesday, September 30, 2020 AHEPA E-News AHEPA Applauds Secretary of State Pompeo's Visit to Greece AHEPA applauded Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to Greece in a September 28 statement issued by Supreme President George G. Horiates. "The visit demonstrated the excellent state of relations, which is at an apex, between longtime NATO Allies, the United States and Greece," Horiates said. He continued, "The meetings yielded continued progress in all facets of the bilateral relationship—regional cooperation, defense and security, law enforcement and counterterrorism, trade and investment, energy, and people-to-people ties—providing a clear path for the next Strategic Dialogue.  "In Greece, the United States has a dependable and stable ally in defense and security cooperation, a partner budding in confidence as a marketplace for U.S. investment and innovation, a provider of energy security, and an ally who respects the rule of law." read entire statement AHEPA Condemns Turkey's Latest Provocations, European Ahepans Renew Call for Sanctions AHEPA strongly condemned Turkey's latest acts of provocation in a September 28 statement issued by Supreme President George G. Horiates. "Turkey continues to demonstrate it is the root cause of instability and turmoil in the region through its ongoing aggression and acts of provocation. AHEPA strongly condemns Turkey’s actions as a detriment to peace and stability, and AHEPA reiterates its call for nations and international bodies to impose sanctions on Turkey and to boycott Turkey.  "Specifically, AHEPA condemns Turkey’s use of a drone to violate Greece’s sovereignty and taunt the people of Greece by defacing a Greek flag displayed on the ground in Kastellorizo while playing Turkey’s national anthem," Horiates said. Horiates added that in European cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich, and Weisbaden, Ahepans are renewing the call to impose sanctions on Turkey. European District 28 sent a letter to Chair Norbert Röttgen (Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee) calling for sanctions against Turkey at the European Council & EU Heads of State meetings. Supreme President Horiates and Supreme Governor Region 10 Phanos Pitiris also signed the letter. read entire statement Supreme President Horiates to Join in Celebration of Cyprus's Independence Supreme President George G. Horiates will participate in a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Cyprus, today, at Noon. PSEKA - International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus is organizing the event. Featured speakers include: President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, Cypriot government officials, members of Congress, including U.S. Senator Robert Menendez; and several heads of Greek and Cypriot American organizations. Supreme Treasurer Savas Tsivicos will also participate. Ahepan Philip Christopher is the President of PSEKA. join the celebration here U.S.'s Chief Tech Officer Kratsios Accompanies Secretary Pompeo to Greece AHEPA is proud of the role Ahepan, Chief Technology Officer of the United States Michael Kratsios, is playing to promote the development of emerging technologies and innovation in research in Greece, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. USCTO Kratsios accompanied Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Greece for the signing of a U.S.-Greece Science and Technology Agreement that will enhance U.S.-Greece relations in this key sector. In addition, he held several meetings with Greek government officials in the ministries of Development and Investment, Health, and Digital Governance. USCTO Kratsios also visited Anatolia College to tour its new STEM Center, which was made possible with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). "We commend USCTO Kratsios for the contributions he is making to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece, and we are proud to count him as a member of AHEPA," Horiates said. learn more about USCTO Kratsios | fact sheet on the agreement Greece Is the Word in 2021 Athens Supreme Convention Info Released AHEPA is preparing for the 99th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention to be held in Athens, Greece, July 25 to 31, 2021. The official convention hotel will be the Hotel Grande Bretagne. Greece will be celebrating the bicentennial of its independence in 2021 and the AHEPA family will be there to join in the celebration! See you there! learn more AHEPA Mobilizes against Turkey's Provocations In a September memo to organizational leaders, Supreme President George G. Horiates provided instruction for Ahepans to mobilize against Turkey's provocations. Turkey has escalated tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean to dangerous levels not seen since 1996 through violations of international norms and international and U.S. law, Horiates writes in the memo. "Turkey’s actions are not only illegal, but they are not in the best interests of the United States and place lives unnecessarily in harm’s way," Horiates states. The memo recaps actions taken by AHEPA to address Turkey's provocations and how Ahepans, and by extension, the community, can help going forward. "We stand ready to assist you with this most important mobilization to address this pressing matter that threatens NATO ally, Greece; strategic partner, Cyprus; and U.S. interests in the region, overall," Horiates concludes. Mobilization Tool Kit Memo to AHEPA Leaders Template Letter to Public Officials Talking Points Boycott Turkey Info Sheet AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund Opened for Natural Disasters AHEPA has opened its Emergency Relief Fund to provide assistance to the victims of the wildfires that are devastating California and Hurricane Laura, announced Supreme President George G. Horiates. “The California wildfires and Hurricane Laura have caused widespread devastation affecting thousands of people,” Supreme President Horiates said. “Our thoughts are prayers are with communities impacted by these natural disasters, and we must do our part to help and make an difference for those in need. We urge our AHEPA chapters, members, and supporters to provide assistance through our Emergency Relief Fund as we have done traditionally when natural disasters strike or most recently in response to COVID-19.” Supreme President Horiates has made the following appeal: Each chapter to donate a minimum $250 to the Emergency Relief Fund (a 501(c)3 donation), and For chapters and/or individuals to secure one (1) $500 donor from the community-at-large  AHEPA established the Emergency Fund 15 years ago. Since its inception more than $1 million has been donated from the fund to those affected by national disasters. read more | ICYMI AHEPA Housing donates $25K Donate to the AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund In Remembrance: September Events of 1922, 1955 During September, AHEPA reflects and remembers the catastrophic events of September 1922 (the burning of Smyrna) and September 1955 (the Istanbul Pogrom) and shares the following articles, journal pieces, and other resources with our audience for a more in-depth historical perspective and additional insight: International Association of Genocide Scholars: The Istanbul Pogrom of 6-7 September 1955 in the Light of International Law Article: September 6-7, 1955: Krystallnacht in Constantinople (The Pappas Post) Article: Locals commemorate pogrom against Greeks and Jews in Turkey in 1955 (The Jerusalem Post) Must Read: The Mechanism of Catastrophe: The Turkish Pogrom Of September 6 - 7, 1955, And The Destruction Of The Greek Community Of Istanbul by Speros Vryonis, Jr., Ph.D. Must Read: The Blight of Asia by former U.S. Consul General to Smyrna George Horton Article: September 10, 1922: The Martyrdom of Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Smyrna (The Pappas Post) Article: New York Times Recounts 'Turkish Atrocities' in Smyrna 1922; Testimony Based on American Doctor's Account (The Pappas Post) Must Read: Harper Collins Book About An American Minister Who Saved 250,000 Greeks from Smyrna Fire in 1922 (on Amazon)  AHEPA Cares and it shows: A note of gratitude for your philanthropy AHEPA prides itself on the strength of its chapters and members. With more than 400 chapters worldwide, AHEPA provides community service at the grassroots. In fact, AHEPA has been described as providing “boots on the ground” - a reference to our members and their valuable work in the communities. Working hand-in-hand with local and state community service groups, AHEPA excels at providing relief when times get tough. During this unprecedented time, the COVID-19 pandemic has AHEPA mobilized once again. Our support for the health care heroes on the front lines who are making sacrifices to attend to those infected by coronavirus is resolute. Supreme President George G. Horiates has been spearheading efforts to encourage our chapters to donate or volunteer time and energy to provide assistance. With the spirit of community service at the core of their mission, we are proud our chapters have responded superbly with safety as a priority. Ahepans are going to supermarkets (with appreciation to our grocery workers too) to buy food for those in need. They are visiting area hospitals and delivering food to the doctors and nurses who are in harm's way and to the elderly and the homeless. Ahepans are also donating blood. The AHEPA family is working together to provide assistance around the world. #AHEPACares and it shows. We salute our members for their outreach. We can take pride we are fulfilling our founding fathers' vision of a community service fraternity. Supreme President Horiates thanks the AHEPA chapters that are practicing philanthropy and for sending us inspirational photos and stories. We applaud look forward to seeing more of our Order's great works! We encourage districts and chapters to engage in philanthropic and community service acts and please submit your good works to AHEPA Global Headquarters. Please remember to do so responsibly, according to government guidance, and above all else--safely! The list (below) is what we know at the time of distributing this edition of AHEPA e-news. AHEPA’s list of chapters that are playing a significant part in the communities they serve worldwide is unmatched…and will go on… Donate to the AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund Download & Distribute AHEPA Cares Flyer THANK YOU! Chapter 1 Atlanta, Ga. - Donated lunches to the first responders of Emory Decatur Hospital Chapter 3 Birmingham, Ala. – 100 meals donated to Children’s Hospital of Alabama Chapter 25 Manhattan, N.Y. – Meals donated and funds raised for ventilators Chapter 26 Philadelphia – Brother Dr. Theoklis Zaoutis is actively advising Greece's Ministry of Health on COVID-19 Chapter 40 Detroit/District 10, Michigan – $15,000 donated to Detroit-area churches Chapter 59 Canton, OH - Donated N95 masks and fed elderly in housing project Chapter 64 Harrisburg, Pa. – Brother Dr. Chronis providing medical analysis for COVID-19 and the chapter donated $1,750 to four central PA food banks to feed families in need Chapter 69 Cherry Hill, N.J. – 200 meals donated to Virtua Hospital and other area hospitals Chapter 72 Trenton, N.J. – 280-plus meals an 80 face masks delivered to three major hospitals in Central N.J. Chapter 78, Merrillville, Ind. – Donated $17,000 to charities that assist and provide relief to victims of COViD-19 Chapter 80 Worcester, MA - Donated meals to staff of Holy Trinity Nursing Center Chapter 88 Warren, OH - Donated meals to Mahoning County for Developmental Disabilities Chapter 94 Chicago, IL - Donated funds to the Greater Chicago Food Depository to feed 5,000 persons Chapter 95 Wilmington, DE - Donated 200 meals to the community