The AHEPAN - Winter 2009 - (Page 5)

Message FroM Ike gulas aHePa suPreMe PresIdent ahepa’s accolades a testament to its membership S pring has been a busy season for AHEPA. It’s the time of year where many of our district and chapters all across the AHEPA Domain participate in celebrating Greek Independence Day with commemoration ceremonies at town halls and state capitol buildings. In Washington, President Barack Obama hosted a celebration at the White House commemorating the 188th anniversary of Greek Independence. Although invited, I respectfully chose not to attend this White House celebration due to what I believed Ike Gulas was a failure to recognize the importance of including the entire AHEPA Family Leadership. As a result, I wrote the President expressing my concern regarding this oversight and as of yet have not received a reply. AHEPA Headquarters and I have received countless emails and phone calls from our members across the country as well as other Greek American organizational leaders who agree that the AHEPA Family, the oldest and largest Greek American organization, should have been properly included to participate at this important event. My hope is that this generates a productive discourse within the Greek American community about how the community is represented in Washington. AHEPA received the 2009 Hermes Award for its service to community and charitable deeds at the Hermes International Expo in Atlantic City on April 4. I was proud to be accompanied by many members of the Supreme Lodge who were present to help me accept this honor on behalf of AHEPA. It was great to see so many AHEPA Family members from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania present. I commend Brother Paul Kotrosios for his efforts to build the Hermes International Expo into the success it has become, helping to build a bridge of commerce and trade between the United States and Greece. Also, His Excellency Alexandros Mallias, ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the U.S., and Mrs. Mallias, hosted a reception at the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in honor of AHEPA on April 6. Indeed it was a privilege for AHEPA to be recognized for its organizational strength and its mission by such a distinguished leader of the community. There, too, I was joined by Supreme Lodge members as well as a great display of support from Ahepans from the Metro DC area. We look forward to returning the favor by co-hosting a dinner in Ambassador Mallias’ honor in May with AHI. In retrospect, these are special honors for the organization because such accolades are earned from the ground-up. It is because of the hard work, dedication, and volunteerism performed by our members in the community on a daily basis that I have the honor to represent AHEPA when it is acknowledged with these awards. So thank you to all our members for making all of this possible. Moreover, as this issue of The AHEPAN features, we are hosting our 87th Supreme Convention in San Francisco. This will be a very significant occasion as we will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Daughters of Penelope. Please visit www.ahepa.org/convention to make your reservations and to file your registration. We look forward to seeing you in the City by the Bay! www.ahepa.org Winter 2009 the ahepan http://www.ahepa.org/convention http://www.ahepa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The AHEPAN - Winter 2009

The AHEPAN - Winter 2009
Contents
Presidents’ Messages
AHEPA Family News
Book Review
Special Report: Greek Independence Day
The 87th Supreme Convention in Magestic San Francisco
Ahepan on the Rise in South Carolina’s Executive Branch
Liberty Ship Arrives In Athens; Will Serve as a Floating Museum
Civic Responsibility
Education
Housing
Athletics
AHEPA Athletic 2009 Calendar
AHEPA Family Chapter News
In Memoriam

The AHEPAN - Winter 2009