NEW YORK – The Manhattan Chapter of the Order of AHEPA, Delphi #25, in conjunction with AHEPA Empire State District Six (NYS) on Veterans Day, November 11, gathered at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 67th Street in Manhattan, to lay a wreath at the outdoor bronze sculpture dedicated to the 107th Infantry Memorial which honors veterans who died during World War I. In this small symbolic way, AHEPA paid homage and honor to the great veterans of the USA.

AHEPA Delphi Chapter #25 placed a wreath on Veterans Day at the 107th Infantry Memorial which honors veterans who died during World War I. (Photo: Argyris Argitakos)

Among several AHEPA Brothers that were present during this event with the Delphi 25 Brothers were AHEPA Supreme President George Horiates, Supreme Vice President Jimmy Kokotas, and Brother Louis Katsos, District Six Governor and Past President of Delphi Chapter #25. During this event Supreme President George Horiates presented the District Governor of the Year Award to District Six Governor Katsos, which was bestowed earlier in the year.

Left to right: Past President Argyris S. Argitakos, Dr. Marinos Petratos (Past President of Delphi 25 and U.S. Army war Veteran), District Six Governor Louis Katsos, SP George Horiates, SVP Jimmy Kokotas, Chapter President Theodore P. Klingos, and Past District Six Governor Michael Papaphotes. (Photo: Argyris Argitakos)

During this ceremony Horiates also presented to George Venizelos, the former FBI Assistant Director in charge of New York City and a member of Delphi Chapter #25, the new AHEPA Heroes Medal. This medal was presented to Brother Venizelos for his 20+ years of service to the USA and the FBI. 

AHEPA Delphi Chapter honored Veterans Day. (Photo: Argyris Argitakos)

Present at this event was AHEPA Delphi 25 Brother John Catsimatidis as well as Chapter President Theodore P. Klingos and Past Chapter Presidents Dr. Marinos Petratos (a U.S. Army Veteran himself), Michael Papaphotes (Past District Six Governor), and Argyris S. Argitakos.

Left to right: Delphi Chapter #25 member John Catsimatidis and Delphi Chapter #25 member George Venizelos receiving the Medal of Heroes from Supreme President George Horiates. (Photo: Argyris Argitakos)

This event was preceded by a Memorial Service held during the Sunday, November 8 Divine Liturgy at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan. At this event the veterans, Brothers and Sisters, of Delphi Chapter #25 as well as all those throughout the AHEPA Family who served in our country’s Armed Forces, and are no longer are with us, were commemorated and memorialized.

Left to right: SP George Horiates, SVP Jimmy Kokotas, Dr. Marinos Petratos (Past President of Delphi 25 and U.S. Army war Veteran), and Chapter President Theodore P. Klingos. (Photo: Argyris Argitakos)

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is the largest and oldest American-based, Greek heritage grassroots membership organization. Its scope is international with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Cyprus, Europe, and “sister” chapters in Australia and New Zealand under the auspices of AHEPA Australasia.

District Six Governor Louis Katsos receiving the District Governor of the Year Award from SP George Horiates. (Photo: Argyris Argitakos)

AHEPA was founded on July 26, 1922, in response to the evils of bigotry and racism that emerged in early 20th century American society. It also helped Greek immigrants assimilate into society. Today, AHEPA brings the ideals of ancient Greece, which include philanthropy, education, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence, to the community. Although the majority of AHEPA’s membership is comprised of Americans of Greek descent, membership is open to anyone who believes in the mission of the organization and considers themselves philhellenes (those of non-Greek descent but friends of Greece). 

Fr. Nikolas Karloutsos presided over the memorial service on Nov. 8 for the veterans, Brothers and Sisters, of Delphi Chapter #25, as well as all those throughout the AHEPA Family who served in our country’s Armed Forces, and are no longer are with us. (Photo: Argyris Argitakos)

AHEPA’s Delphi Chapter #25 was founded in 1923 in Manhattan; it was the first Chapter in New York State. Delphi Chapter #25 was instrumental in welcoming the early Greek immigrants to the USA as they disembarked at Ellis Island and helping them with their assimilation into the American culture by assisting them with learning the English language, finding employment, and eventually becoming citizens of the United States.  

Left to right: AHEPA Delphi 25 members Peter Doukas, Denis Seretakos, Costas Tsourakis, Argyris S. Argitakos, Father Nikolas Karloutsos, Theodore P. Klingos (Chapter President), Dr. Marinos Petratos, Michael Papaphotes, and George Lambrakos. (Photo: Argyris Argitakos)

Delphi Chapter #25 has had many notable and prominent members in its history, including many philhellenes who embraced AHEPA’s ideals and values. In 1924, Seraphim G. Canoutas joined Delphi Chapter #25 and later served as Chapter President, he was at the time the most notable historian and the primary source for the 1880 to 1920 wave of Greek immigrants. Some of the many distinguished members that followed in Delphi’s rich history were Past Chapter Presidents and later Past Supreme Presidents of AHEPA Dean Alfange and Dr. Kimon Doukas. On March 11, 1931, the then New York State Governor (and later to become President of the United States) Franklin D. Roosevelt became a member of the Order of AHEPA and joined Delphi Chapter #25 in New York City and remained a member till his death. Other notable Past Presidents of Delphi Chapter #25 included the Honorable Federal Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas.

Currently AHEPA Delphi Chapter #25 is one of the most vibrant Chapters of The Order of AHEPA; following a dynamic revitalization this AHEPA Chapter, based in Manhattan, has grown to be the largest Chapter in the entire global AHEPA domain and was awarded the 2019 Chapter of the Year Award at the AHEPA Supreme Convention last year in Chicago. It vibrantly continues on today in the tradition of AHEPA’s ideals and values of promoting Education and Hellenism through many efforts of public service and philanthropy. 

For any further information, please visit www.ahepa25.org.