NEW YORK – The Greek flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan took place under sunny skies on April 20 as part of the many official events celebrating Greek Independence and culminating in the parade on 5^th Avenue on Sunday.

As expected, the Evzones of the Presidential Guard impressed the attendees at Bowling Green.

Among those in attendance were Consul of Greece Lana Zochiou, Archimandrite Nektarios Papazafiropoulos- Dean of St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, Parade Committee Chairman Nancy Papaioannou and representatives from the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, as well as the students from local Greek schools, among many others.

The Evzones were accompanied by their Commander, Colonel Rodolfos Demetroglou, Infantry Lieutenants Nikolaos Leontaris and Georgios Andrianopoulos, as well as two female noncommissioned officers: the representative of the Military Office of the Presidency of the Republic, Konstantia Christodoulou, and of the presidential guard, Dimitra Psychogiou.

“On Sunday, we want to… break the asphalt, hear the legendary Evzones throughout New York, across America, and across the globe. Be heard up there where all our dead heroes are who gave their lives for our homeland to be free and to have Greeks so strong all over the world. I’m waiting for you on the 5th Avenue,” Mr. Demetroglou said during the final Federation meeting before the parade.

The Greek flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan took place under sunny skies with the Evzones participating. (Photo by TNH/Costas Bej)

The Greek American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Annual Awards Gala 2018 was held at The Venetian in Garfield, NJ. Photo by Michalis Kakias

The Greek flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan took place under sunny skies with the Evzones participating. (Photo by TNH/Costas Bej)

The Greek flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan took place under sunny skies with the Evzones participating. (Photo by TNH/Costas Bej)

The Greek flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan took place under sunny skies with the Evzones participating. (Photo by TNH/Costas Bej)