This Week For Greeks! - Vol.2 Issue 29 - Monday, September 22, 2008

A Message from the Supreme President

Brothers, Sisters and Friends:

We officially begin autumn this week, and as we do, we inch closer to Election Day. AHEPA has provided a voter registration public service announcement (PSA) for anyone to download from our Web site. We encourage you to reproduce, publish, or post it in your local area community halls. The PSA also reminds everyone to vote on November 4. Our "AHEPA Vote '08" Web page also contains the Presidential Questionnaires we sent to the two major campaigns in mid-August. We will publish responses from the campaigns as soon as they are received.

AHEPA Vote 2008 Moreover, to complete our voter registration/education effort, we will have our Congressional Scorecard published as a voter education tool for the community to utilize. It will also be available to view from our "AHEPA Vote '08" Web page. Finally, don't forget to host a voter registration drive in your community. The deadline to register to vote in most states is October 6.

Last week, we were saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Monthe N. Kofos, who ran our National Athletics Program for nearly 40 years. He was a giant of our community, and he will be sorely missed. Executive Director Basil Mossaidis and I traveled to New England to attend his funeral. Prior to the services we had the opportunity to meet with many members of the Greek-American community (see related story). On Friday I was privledged to honor Dr. Kofos at his funeral service (see related story) and in his spirit, I urge you to help organize an athletic event in your community or sponsor a scholarship for a deserving student-athlete.

As many of our chapters will be meeting this month for the first time early summer, please keep in mind our various educational, cultural, and philanthropic endeavors that benefit the community as you plan for the administrative year. We will be glad to provide you with assistance or direction in any of these worthy endeavors.

Fraternally,

Ike Gulas, Supreme President

News From AHEPA

Rep. Manzullo Joins the Hellenic Caucus
WASHINGTON (AHEPA News) -- AHEPA welcomed the news late last week that Rep. Don Manzullo (R-16-IL) joined the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues. ... read more.

AHEPA Vote 2008 AHEPA Rolls Out Massive Vote 2008 Campaign
WASHINGTON (AHEPA Vote) -- AHEPA has launched an aggressive effort to ensure the Greek-American Community is engaged in Election '08. This sounds overwhelming, but it really comes down to 4 easy steps -- and it begins with YOU! ... read more.

Circus Circus Hotel and Casino - Reno, NV Western Regional Leadership Conference
RENO (AHEPA Events) -- The Western Regional Leadership Conference will be held on October 3-4, 2008, at the Circus-Circus Hotel & Casino, Reno, NV. Download the registration flyer and make your reservations today! ... read the latest conference newsletter.

AHEPA Disaster Relief Help AHEPA Widen Our Scope of Disaster Relief Efforts!
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Relief) -- Recently our nation and world have faced a series of natural disasters which, as Ahepans we can not turn a blinds eye. After the enormous success of our efforts to provide relief to the wild fire victims in Greece, AHEPA asks each of you to join us now, in helping disaster victims, many of whom have been left homeless and severely injured. ... please give generously.

AHEPA's New VISA Affinity Card Apply Today for your New AHEPA VISA Affinity Card!
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AHEPA Promotion) -- AHEPA is proud to announce, through our partnership with Bank of America, an offer you literally can't afford to pass by! The New AHEPA VISA Affinity Card offers you, not only the lowest APR available, but at a fixed rate that won't change after the card has been activated -- and a chance to help AHEPA at the same time! Please check out the offer online and appply for your new card today!

AHEPA 2008 Calendar

SEPTEMBER
    12     Supreme Lodge Meeting - Washington, DC
    12     Board of Trustees Meeting - Washington, DC
    13     AHEPA District Governors Meeting - Washington, DC
    13     AHEPA Day at Camden Yards - Baltimore, MD

OCTOBER
3-4 Western Regional Leadership Conference - Reno, NV
28 OXI Day - Greece

NOVEMBER
04 Election Day - Nationwide

DECEMBER
25 Holy Nativity (Christmas)
31 AHEPA Annual Chapter Dues Deadline

Greek American Weekly News Digest

Alexis Coady (left), sister of drowning victim Mark Thanos, and sister-in-law Victoria Thanos hold a family portrait Monday in the Thanoses' Chesterton, Ind., home. Victoria Thanos' husband and father-in-law drowned Sunday trying to rescue a 10-year-old next-door neighbor boy who had been swept into a creek near their homes. (Tribune photo by John Smierciak / September 15, 2008)

Neighbor 'Gave His Life for my Child'
CHICAGO (Chicago Tribune) -- September 16, 2008 -- Indiana man, dad drown trying to save 10-year-old boy -- Todd and Kari Zehner grappled with conflicting emotions Monday: joy that their 10-year-old son, Doug, had survived a near drowning and deep sorrow that two next-door neighbors died trying to save him. ... read more.

Halki (Heybeliada) Greek Orthodox seminary in Istanbul U.S. Says Turkey Fails on Promise to Re-Open Seminary
ISTANBUL (HotNewsTurkey.com) -- September 22, 2008 -- The United States had been urging and would continue to urge Turkey to reopen the theological university based on Istanbul's Heybeliada Island; John Hanford, ambassador-at-large for religious freedom at the U.S. State Department, was quoted Monday by the Turkish Daily News (TDN) as saying. ... read more.

Other Greek American News Headlines

Kathimerini - September 22, 2008
Karamanlis Mulls his Options
Athens News Agency - September 22, 2008
Gov't, BoG Weigh Credit Crisis Effect on Households
Embassy News - September 11, 2008
Congresswoman Maloney honored by Ambassador Mallias

Greeks of the Week!

Brothers Mark and John Thanos of Chesterton, IN
Brother Mark Thanos was many things: an active Ahepan, a caring husband, a devoted father, a scholar, an athlete, a good neighbor ... and a hero. Sadly, Brother Mark and his father John Thanos (also an Ahepan) were taken from us last week, when they put their own lives at risk to save a neighbor's son, being swept away by flood waters. Many stories of triumph and tragedy pass through our Order, but few bring such mixed emotions of sorrow and pride. Brothers Mark and John Thanos represent the very best in our order and the very ideals of Greek heritage we pledge to keep strong. May their memory be eternal.

Please join us as we honor Brothers Mark and John Thanos as AHEPA'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.