WASHINGTON, DC – The highlight of the Washington OXI Day Foundation’s celebration of the 75th anniversary of the heroic moment of October 28, 1940 when Greece stood up to the forces of fascism will be the presentation of the Metropolitan Chrysostomos Award to representatives of Prince Philip, posthumously honoring his mother Princess Alice for her heroism during WWII.

The award will be presented at the Foundation’s Black Tie Banquet and Award Presentations on October 28 – the exact day 75 years ago when the Prime Minister of Greece answered the Axis Forces’ demand for surrender with the famous single word “OXI – NO.”

The celebration begin on October 27 with a reception hosted by Greek Ambassador Christos Panagopoulos cohosted by the National Hellenic Society

The following afternoon participants will attend the presentation of the OXI Day Greatest Generation awards at the National WW II Memorial.

The Foundation annually selects a non-Greek, a Greek-American and an honoree from Greece who distinguished themselves in WWII.

Andy Manatos, Founder and President of the Foundation, told TNH that although John Glenn – a WWII fighter pilot and the first American to orbit the earth – accepted the award, his schedule will not permit him to attend.

Greek-American James Moshovitis and General George Douratsos of Greece will receive the awards at a ceremony that features a keynote speech by noted investor Michael Psaros. Robert McDonald, US Secretary of Veterans Affairs, has been invited to offer remarks.

The Banquet is the occasion for honoring contemporary heroes in the fight for freedom.

The awards will be presented after the invocation offered by Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and welcoming remarks by businessman and philanthropist George Marcus.

The Oxi Day Award will be given to Khalil al-Dakhi, for his rescue of women and children captured by ISIS. The Battle of Crete Award, which is presented to women who have acted in the spirit of the women who defended Crete against nazi attackers, will honor Leyla Yunus, the jailed Azerbaijani human rights activist.

Tzanetos Antypas, President of Praksis, will receive the Second Annual Stavros Niarchos Foundation Philotimo Award, He will be introduced by C. Dean Metropoulos, Executive Chairman and CEO, C. Dean Metropoulos & Company, and the award will be presented by Stelios Vasilakis, Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives, Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

The Foundation will also give the Philotimo Scholarship Award to five Greek-American students (Grades 6-12) who best describe “philotimo.” They will be presented by Judge Theodore Bozonelis, Trustee, Nicholas G. and Anna K. Bouras Foundation.

George Logothetis, Chairman and CEO of the Libra Group, will be the keynote speaker at the banquet.

PRINCESS OUTWITS GESTAPO

The Metropolitan Chrysostomos Award, named for the Greek Orthodox hierarch who along with Mayor Lucas Carrer helped save the 275 Jews of the Island of Zakynthos, keeps alive this important part of Greek history.

“The Washington Oxi Day Foundation is recognizing the extraordinary courage Princess Alice displayed as she risked certain death.  Princess Alice shielded an entire Jewish family, the Cohens, across the street from Gestapo Headquarters in Nazi-occupied Greece during World War II.  Periodically, the Nazis came to her home searching for Jewish people but she masterfully protected them each time she was questioned.  Princess Alice is recognized in Israel at Yad Vashem as one of the “Righteous Among the Nations,” the Foundation noted in a release, which continues her fascinating life story:

“Princess Alice married Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and lived in Greece, where her son Prince Philip was born.  After WWII, Princess Alice stayed in Greece and established the order of nuns called the Christian Sisterhood of Martha and Mary.  She returned during the last two years of her life to Buckingham Palace and remained a Greek Orthodox Nun.”

Among the other recipients of the award were: President of Israel Shimon Peres, Noble Peace Prize Winner Elie Wiesel, and American Jewish Committee Executive Director David Harris (2013).

The three-day event will have a solemn conclusion during a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

According to its website, “The Washington Oxi Day Foundation is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization dedicated to informing American policymakers and the public about the profound role Greece played in bringing about the outcome of World War II and celebrating modern day heroes who exhibit the same courage as the Greeks did in continuing to fight to preserve and promote freedom and democracy around the world.”