Friends:
Yesterday marked the 23rd anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/2001. We pause to remember those we lost and reflect on what our country endured on that terrible day in our history.
As Americans, we find ourselves deep in election-year politics, bombarded with political ads of all kinds. For me, I’m reminded of AHEPA's core mission, which dates back to our earliest days after its founding. When considering AHEPA and its significance in American society, some might think of our presence in Washington, D.C., the AHEPA academic scholarship program, the senior housing initiative, or perhaps our AHEPA Convention. However, many may not be aware of AHEPA's long history of welcoming Greek immigrants and helping them become active members of American society who understand the importance of civic engagement and, above all, exercise their crucial right to vote.
Imagine a brave, optimistic, and likely apprehensive immigrant who traveled from Greece to America in the early 1920s. Whether he was a textile mill worker in New England or a sponge diver in Tarpon Springs, Florida, he worked to support himself and his family while facing the economic hardship and widespread prejudice that all Greek immigrants had to overcome. Immigrants from Greece—men, women, and children—came here to share in the American dream, often without any knowledge of the culture or even the language. But thanks to AHEPA, they were educated and mobilized into civic-minded citizens.
Since its inception in 1922, AHEPA's mission has been to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Family, Individual Excellence, and Civic Responsibility. At the heart of civic responsibility is the right to vote. Over the years, AHEPA has helped hundreds of thousands of Americans register to vote, and that work continues today.
As Greek Americans, we should cherish our right to vote while encouraging others—friends, relatives, coworkers—to do the same. It doesn't matter what political party we belong to; as Greek Americans, we must raise our voices in a responsible, educated way. As President John F. Kennedy said, “The right to vote in a free American election is the most powerful and precious right in the world.”
As citizens and voters, we all need to know election dates, regulations, and deadlines. We need to be informed about the candidates on the ballot and the important down-ballot issues up for a vote. VoteSmart (justfacts.votesmart.org) is a non-partisan resource that can be helpful to you, your friends, and your family members.
We also need to understand where policymakers stand on core issues. Greece is an important NATO ally, a stronghold for democracy and stability in the West, and a crucial geostrategic location for U.S. security. Therefore, it's essential to vote for candidates who will work to strengthen U.S.-Greek relations. Moreover, an ideal candidate will stand up for the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul and all religious minorities in Turkey. We must also educate candidates and know where they stand on the 50-year illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus—whether they support viable solutions that allow all Cypriots to enjoy the same rights we take for granted.
Every day, we have opportunities to educate those around us on issues important to Greek Americans. For more information, www.ahepa.org is a valuable resource. Remember: education does not begin and end at the voting booth.
The ancient Greeks inspired America’s founding fathers, just as those founding fathers inspired the Greeks who fought for independence against the Ottoman Empire. We must all take advantage of our right to vote. Our fellow Americans fought for this right, and yet there is no guarantee our uniquely American constitutional republic will continue without our civic vigilance. As President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing, and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people.” By voting, we can foster a stronger American Hellenic community and advance the mission and values of AHEPA.
I am not writing to you as a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Independent, or any other party member. I write this as an American of immigrant parents who craved opportunity and new beginnings in a new country and built a life as Americans so their children could have the ability and honor to VOTE. Let us all stand proudly and spread the word—regardless of your politics—VOTE! | 
