The Ahepan Summer 2017 - 2

A MESSAGE FROM ANDREW C. ZACHARIADES, AHEPA SUPREME PRESIDENT

Celebrating Greece-Here and Abroad

Andrew C. Zachariades

On the eve of the 95th AHEPA Family Supreme Convention in Orlando, I reflect on the first half
of 2017, which has been an active one for the AHEPA family.
We can be especially proud of how the AHEPA family helps to celebrate and commemorate
Greek Independence Day in communities around the world. This issue of The Ahepan provides a
wonderful pictorial of celebrations, mostly from parades and flag-raising ceremonies. Also, I commend AHEPA's Veterans Committee for hosting the Evzones, which travelled throughout the United
States in March, in Washington.
The Supreme President's AHEPA Family Leadership Excursion was a tremendous success as
AHEPA continues to be the leading vibrant player on the international stage. I had the fortunate
opportunity and honor to address the Hellenic Parliament where I reaffirmed AHEPA's unparalleled
commitment to Greece and the Order's appreciation to Greece for its unwavering, steadfast alliance
as a NATO member, especially as the country endures two crises. Greece is a frontline State against
terrorism and the country increasingly is becoming comfortable with embracing the important role
of U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Crete, which we must encourage.
The critical role Greece plays in the eastern Mediterranean, the crossroads of the Cyprus settlement talks, and religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate-all topics that were explored
during the excursion-were brought to Washington during AHEPA's annual Capitol Hill Day on May
3. AHEPA works diligently in Washington, and with the grassroots, to keep these public policy priorities at the forefront of a very busy Washington agenda and to grow the Congressional Caucus on
Hellenic Issues. Indeed, AHEPA can be proud of its Capitol Hill Day. It is an event that is now being
replicated by other organizations.
Finally, please get connected. There is no longer an excuse to be disconnected from AHEPA and
its work in the community. AHEPA's weekly e-news has now become a staple. The Order, which has
been on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter since 2009, has enhanced its social
media content. Our new News Portal, http://ahepanews.ahepa.org/, which is also accessible through
www.ahepa.org, is a one-stop shop for news releases, e-news and blog posts, action alerts, and social
media feeds-all of which have been made easier to share with family and friends. Moreover, many
districts and chapters have Facebook pages, and some, Twitter accounts.
To close, my wife, Antoinette, and I, thank everyone for their support, encouragement, advice,
and hospitality afforded us during my term as Supreme President. I would also like to thank my
fellow Supreme Lodge officers for their hard work and dedication this past year. It was truly a team
effort. During my visitations, I was constantly in awe of the invaluable and impactful contributions
the AHEPA family provides to the community, helping to strengthen it on a daily basis. Our mission,
carried out through community service and volunteerism, and with the steady heartbeat of Hellenism, is what sustains us. It will continue to propel us as we approach our 100th anniversary, which
will be celebrated in grand style in Atlanta, Georgia, the city of our founding. We look forward to Orlando which will mark our 95th anniversary. I look forward to seeing many of you there to celebrate.

THE AHEPAN · Summer 2017

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Ahepan Summer 2017