The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 16

Ambassador Pearce with Nikolaos and Elias Drakos.

saying he would be forever indebted to the president for his
hospitality.
According to Drakos' sons, when President Truman heard
this, he got up from his chair, walked toward Drakos and shook
his hand saying, "No. It is we who will be forever indebted to
Greece for giving us democracy."
Upon hearing Truman's words, Drakos became very emotional and promised President Truman that he would send him
something to remember Greece by.
When Drakos returned to Athens, he promptly commissioned a painting of the Acropolis from an Italian landscape
painter, Armeno Matteoli. The artist set-up his easel and canvas across from the Acropolis on Filopappou Hill and spent
the next two months painting. When it was done, Drakos
had it framed and sent to President Truman at his home in
Independence. President Truman acknowledged the gift in a
letter to Drakos dated August 26, 1954.
Sixty years later and after almost six months of researching
different individuals with the same name in North Carolina,
New York, California and northern and southern Greece,
Marrano and his colleagues at the embassy found Nikolaos
and Elias Drakos, sons of George N. Drakos, living only a few
miles from the U.S. Embassy in Athens. They were unaware as
to what had become of the painting their father sent President
Truman.
Nikolaos and Elias visited the embassy on September 19,
2014 and were eager to share their father's story. They brought
with them a very touching story and a number of items,
including a signed personal letter from Truman to their father.
16

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THE AHEPAN · Spring 2015

U.S. Consul General Mark Marrano (center) with Nikolaos and Elias
Drakos at the Truman Statue.

The U.S. embassy presented them with a collage that included
copies of the painting, the letter from Truman, the room at the
Truman home where the painting is currently hanging, and a
photo of George N. Drakos with the painting before it was sent.
"We are indebted to Elias and Nikolaos Drakos who have
kept the memory of their father and his friendship with
President Truman alive," said Marrano.
George Drakos passed away in 1993. But his love and
appreciation for President Truman endures just as it does
among many Greek Americans and Ahepans, who proudly call
Truman, "Brother."
The Ahepan thanks U.S. Consul General Mark Marrano and
District 3 Governor Jim Stasios for sharing this story with us.
www.ahepa.org


http://www.ahepa.org

The AHEPAN - Spring 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The AHEPAN - Spring 2015

President’s Message
AHEPA Family News
Saint Nicholas Campaign Off to Promising Start, Grassroots Momentum Builds
AHEPA Supreme Convention Preview
A Tale of One Hellene’s Appreciation for President Truman
Education
Periclean
Literary Corner
Commentary & Opinion
Civic Responsibility
Housing
Athletics
AHEPA Family Chapter News
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 1
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 2
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 3
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - President’s Message
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - AHEPA Family News
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 6
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 7
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - Saint Nicholas Campaign Off to Promising Start, Grassroots Momentum Builds
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 9
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - AHEPA Supreme Convention Preview
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 11
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 12
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 13
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - A Tale of One Hellene’s Appreciation for President Truman
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 15
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 16
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 17
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - Education
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - Periclean
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - Commentary & Opinion
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 21
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - Civic Responsibility
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - Housing
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 24
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 25
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - Athletics
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 27
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - AHEPA Family Chapter News
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 29
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 30
The AHEPAN - Spring 2015 - 31
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