A Message from the Supreme President
Dear Brothers,
I would like to congratulate all those who were instrumental in putting together one of the best Biennial Banquet weekends AHEPA has witnessed. Executive Director Basil Mossaidis and all at AHEPA Headquarters as well as our Banquet Chairman John Grossomanides did a fantastic job and the Mayflower proved to be a perfect setting for our gathering. I am certain that those of you who attended concur.
The weekend's festivities actually began on Thursday with the AHEPA Family Capitol Hill Day. This year we were pleased to share this productive outreach to our elected leaders in Congress with the Daughters of Penelope and representatives from other Greek American organizations as well. We were honored to receive Senators Jeff Sessions and Senator Robert Menendez at the luncheon AHEPA provided for our attendees. The AHEPA Family must continue this very effective program and should expand it to encompass at a minimum one or two such events yearly.
On Friday I had the pleasure of presiding over a most productive Supreme Lodge meeting and also attend a meeting with His Excellency Ambassador Kakouris of Cyprus at the Cypriot Embassy. The day culminated with the 38th Biennial Banquet which took place Friday evening. It was an honor for AHEPA to have in attendance some 30 Greek American elected officials who traveled from all parts of the United States to be with us in Washington and receive the AHEPA Paul Tsongas Public Service Award. We were also pleased to bestow the AHEPA Demosthenes Award and AHEPA Aristotle Awards respectively to Mr. George Bistis of Washington, D.C. and Mr. John Catsamatides of New York, NY. In addition, to wonderful speeches from our Dais we were truly honored to hear the beautiful remarks of His Eminence Archibishop Demetrios. This Biennial Banquet was especially historic due to the fact that AHEPA was honored by Congressman Zack Space's participation as the evening's emcee. In addition to doing a superb job, Zack was the first Congressman to ever emcee this AHEPA event. Many thanks to all banquet participants. Also, I would especially like to thank all of our AHEPA family members who traveled from Greece and Canada to be with us for the weekend.
The following day I had the distinct honor of attending the Daughters of Penelope Salute to Women, which honored former Foreign Minister of Cyprus Ambassador Markoulis. Ambassador Markoulis provided very appropriate remarks upon receiving her most worthy distinction. That afternoon and evening I had the pleasure of attending the Board of Trustees meeting where we were provided an update concerning the upcoming Athens Supreme Convention. I must say that this year's convention is shaping up to be a most historic AHEPA Family gathering and I encourage all of you to make your plans to be with us.
Once again, many thanks to all those who planned and participated in the events last weekend. I left Washington with a renewed zest for AHEPA and all that it has to offer. I look forward to seeing you soon in my travels.
Fraternally,
Ike Gulas, Supreme President
News From AHEPA
AHEPA 38th Biennial Banquet Enormous Success
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA News) -- March 10, 2008 -- Capitol Hill Day, Meetings with Members of Congress Well Received -- AHEPA welcomed a capacity crowd at its 38th Biennial Salute Banquet, honoring those in public service, on Friday, March 7. ... read more.
AHEPA 2008 Winter/Spring Calendar
MARCH
01 7th Annual AHEPA of Fort Lauderdale Golf Classic
06 Capitol Hill Day - Washington, DC
06 AHEPAN Magazine Spring 2008 Article Submission Deadline
07 38th Annual Biennial Banquet - Washington, DC
07 Supreme Lodge Meeting - Washington, DC
23 Easter - American celebration
25 Greek Independence Day
29 2008 District 13 Bowling Tournament - Deerfield, IL
29 Greek Independence Day Parade - San Francisco
31 2008 Journey to Greece Application Deadline
31 Full payment due to FREI Travel Agency for the 86th AHEPA Supreme Convention
APRIL
01 2008 AHEPAcademy Application Deadline
06 Greek Independence Day Parades - New York and Baltimore
6-12 Dr. Monthe Kofos 46th Annual AHEPA National Golf Tournament
23 Easter - Greek celebration
MAY
03 District Conventions: Dist 3
17 District Conventions: Dist 14, Dist 23 and Dist 25
30 District Conventions: Dist 5, Dist 7, Dist 8, Dist 20, Dist 21, Dist 22, and Dist 24
JUNE
07 District Conventions: Dist 1, Dist 6, Dist 9, Dist 10, and Dist 15
13 District Conventions: Dist 2, Dist 4, Dist 11, Dist 12, Dist 13, and Dist 17
20 District Conventions: Dist 16
JULY
1-6 86th Annual Supreme Convention - Athens, Greece
Greek American Weekly News Digest
Greek Orthodox Community Begins Holy Season of Lent
NEW YORK (GOArch.org) -- March 10, 2008 -- The Sunday of Forgiveness is the last Sunday prior to the commencement of Great Lent. During the pre-Lenten period, the services of the Church include hymns from the Triodion, a liturgical book that contains the services from the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, the tenth before Pascha (Easter), through Great and Holy Saturday. ... read more.
Related:
Other Greek American News Headlines
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PanARMENIAN.Net - March 3, 2008
Greece Supports Turkey's Bid for EU -
Embassy News - March 6, 2008
Cyprus Leaders to Meet End of March -
People's Daily Online - March 7, 2008
Cyprus Reunification Can Bring Huge Economic Benefits -
Reuters Foundation - March 7, 2008
Drought Hit Cyprus Eyes Water Imports from Lebanon -
ERT - March 10, 2008
Clean Monday Celebrations -
Earth Times - March 7, 2008
Pope Benedict Prays with Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew
Supreme Convention Spotlight
The 2008 Supreme Convention Brochures Are In!
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Convention) -- Each day, during the Supreme Convention in Greece, AHEPA will be offering cultural and historical tours, exclusively set up for AHEPA. These events will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to share your Greek Heritage with your entire family! If you're a current AHEPA member, you will be receiving the brochure in the mail soon, but if you're eager to find out more about the fantastic travel packages available, you can download the brochure online. Click Here to get download the brochure now!
The AHEPA Convention Committee has been working hard to prepare a wonderful getaway for the entire AHEPA community. The AHEPA Family from Australiasia, Canada, Greece and Cyprus will be attending our event in Athens, Greece. Thousands of Ahepans, Daughters, Sons and Maids will work together for this family reunion. For more information, or to register for the 2008 Supreme Convention, go to ahepa2008.com.
Greeks of the Week!
Representative Zack Space (D-OH)
In keeping with this year's Biennial National Salute Banquet theme, "Honoring Public Service," please join us in celebrating one of the Greek American community's brightest star in the public service arena, U.S. Representative Zachary Space of Ohio's 18th Congressional District. Rep. Space, a 2nd generation Ahepan, is a loyal member of AHEPA's Philanthropos Chapter 74, in AHEPA Buckeye District 11. It was a special honor to have Rep. Space serve as the Master of Ceremonies for this weekend's 38th Biennial Banquet in Washington, DC.
Brother Zack is proud of his Greek American heritage, and lists as one of his heroes (see official Congressional website) his paternal grandfather, who emigrated from Greece in the early 20th century and served his new country by fighting in World War I. Brother Space's father, Socrates, continued the family's patriotic tradition by serving in the Marines during the Korean War. After the war, his father attended Ohio State's Law School, thanks to the G.I. Bill.
Please join us in thanking Rep. Zack Space for his service to Ohio's 18th Congressional District, to AHEPA, and to the Greek American community, by honoring him as this week's Greeks of the Week!
Who's Your Greek of the Week?
There are many heroes in our community who often sadly go unrecognized. You can help. Nominate someone to be AHEPA's Greek of the Week! Simply email a short, detailed nomination, along with a digital photo of them to webmaster@ahepa.org.
This Week for Greeks is an electronic news service of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
For more information visit the AHEPA Online Headquarters at www.ahepa.org.
1909 Q Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Tel: 202-232-6300 Fax: 202-232-2140 Email: ahepa@ahepa.org