Dear AHEPA Family, Supporters, and Friends: Happy Independence Day! AHEPA wishes you a happy, safe, and fun Fourth of July -- whether you are celebrating at 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 249th anniversary of adoption of the Declaration of Independence, we take a moment to reflect on the founding of the United States and the ideals and values that comprised our nation's founding, which were influenced by ancient Greece. We also remember our fellow Americans who fought to secure, preserve and protect those ideals and values, which include: democracy, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, for 249 years.
Fraternally, | 
