SYRACUSE, NY – The Hellenic community of Syracuse, NY, and Onondaga County, spearheaded by AHEPA Chapter 37, gathered at City Hall on March 25 to celebrate Greek Independence Day and the centennial of AHEPA. Our dedicated Ahepan, Phillip Georgakopoulos, displayed the 12 by 25-foot Greek flag with the help of seven other Ahepans.

The speakers were: St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church of Syracuse presiding priest Fr. David Smith, Parish Council President Peter Manolakos, New York State Assemblyman John Lemondes of District 126, AHEPA 37 and District 6 Director of Veterans Ted Limpert, the Honorable Mayor Ben Walsh, AHEPA 37 Director of Hellenism Dr. James Telonis, and AHEPA 37 President Michael Labatos.

AHEPA 37 member Stavros Tamoutselis dressed as an Evzone, as Kosta Georgiadis, an honorary member of AHEPA 37, and Mayor Walsh raised the Greek flag while the Greek National Anthem was sung. City Hall was lit in blue overnight in honor of Greek Independence Day.

The event may be viewed on YouTube: