NEW YORK – The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York presented the grand marshals of this year’s Greek Independence Day Parade at the Greek Press office on January 24. U.S.  Senator Charles Schumer and George Tsunis, businessman, philanthropist and nominee to be the United States’ ambassador to Norway, will be leading the community up Fifth Avenue on March 30.

The ceremony was organized by the Federation and its Parade Committee and was attended by Archbishop Demetrios of America, Consul General of Greece in New York George Iliopoulos, New York State Senator Michael Gianaris, State Assemblywoman  Aravella Simotas, City Councilman Costas Constantinides and representatives of all the Federation’s member organizations and other community groups.

The National Herald reported the choice of grand marshals two months ago, so the ceremony on Friday evening had a festive character, as was pointed out PSEKA President Philip Christopher, who called it the inaugural event of the parade.

Schumer and Tsunis expressed their gratitude for being chosen and expressed their belief that this year’s parade will be the best both in terms of participation and dynamism.

Archbishop Demetrios and Iliopoulos congratulated the Federation and the parade committee for the efforts they make in organizing the parade, on their choice of grand marshals, and for their general support for Greece and Cyprus and important ethnic issues.

The president of the Federation, Elias Tsekeridis, congratulated the honorees and expressed his appreciation their acceptance of the invitation to lead the parade.