ATHENS – A tragic car accident that occurred in Libya on Sunday, September 17, resulting in the deaths of five members of the Greek humanitarian mission aiding flood victims in that country was followed by emotional moments that unfolded the morning of September 21 at the Ministry of National Defense, the Greek Pentagon. A special ceremony honored the memories of the five Hellenes.
To pay tribute to the deceased, who included three soldiers, the political and military leadership of Greece stood still and silent at the entrance of the Ministry, and on all the balconies of the building, military personnel from all branches stood as a sign of respect.
After the flag was ceremoniously raised – it will fly at half-mast as a national mourning period has been declared – a memorial a ‘trisagion’ – the Greek Orthodox prayer service for the departed – was held at the church located within the precincts of the Papagos camp, where the Ministry of National Defense and all the General Staffs are housed.
Attending the ceremony were Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias, Deputy Minister of National Defense Ioannis Kefalogiannis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff General Konstantinos Floros, Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Vice Admiral (ret.) Themistoklis Bourolias, Deputy Chief of the Hellenic General Staff, Lieutenant General Andreas Koronakis, representing the Chief of the Hellenic General Staff, Vice Admiral Konstantinos Vlachos of the Hellenic Navy, also representing the Chief of the Hellenic General Staff, Rear Admiral Ioannis Drymousis of the Hellenic Navy, as well as other senior officials.
The Hellenic National Defense General Staff announced that by Presidential Decree signed on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 upon the proposal of the Minister of National Defense, and following the recommendation of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff and the decision of the Council of Chiefs of General Staff (SAGE), higher ranks were posthumously awarded to the following officers who lost their lives in the line of duty with an increased risk:
Lieutenant Commander (Hellenic Navy) Glykeria Memekidou (ID: HN-232), the rank of Commander.
Lieutenant Colonel (Hellenic Army) Evangelia Andreadaki (ID: 63908), the rank of Major.
Additionally, by Presidential Decree signed on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, upon the proposal of the Minister of National Defense and following the decision of the Crisis Council of the Hellenic Army, the rank of Colonel is posthumously awarded to Georgios Voulgaris (ID: MY 21150), who passed away while performing a service associated with increased risk.
Final Farewell for Georgios Voulgaris
In an atmosphere of sorrow, relatives and friends bid farewell to Georgios Voulgaris , who was 27 years old.
The funeral for the member of the Special Warfare Directorate of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff took place at the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Mouzaki, his hometown.
ATHENS - You wouldn’t imagine it from the busy streets of Athens and Greek cities buzzing with activity, people out dining, having coffee and socializing but large numbers of elderly in the country spend their days alone in remote areas.
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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Greek Film Festival (LAGFF) hosts an in-person screening of Greece’s Oscar entries which compete for nominations in December - Asimina Proedrou’s top Iris Award-winner ‘Behind the Haystacks’ (Πίσω από τις Θημωνιές) and Thanasis Neofotistos’ multiple-award-winning short film ‘Air Hostess – 737’ - on Sunday, December 10, 5:30 PM, at the Gianopulos Family Theater at St.
LOS ANGELES – The Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral community is calling for cookies for the reception following the 24th Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 3.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Step inside the White House during the holidays by walking beneath the branches of a Christmas tree.
UTTARKASHI, India (AP) — All 41 construction workers who were trapped in a collapsed mountain tunnel in northern India for more than two weeks were pulled out on Tuesday, bringing an end to a drawn-out rescue mission that had grabbed the country's attention for days.
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