ASTORIA, NY –
In honor of Veterans Day, Saint Demetrios School in Astoria held a special assembly on November 5, welcoming Colonel Andonios Neroulias, a proud Vietnam War veteran who served his country with distinction in the United States Army.
Proud of his Greek-American heritage and Greek Orthodox faith, Colonel Neroulias drew on his experiences as an immigrant from Greece who arrived in New York City not knowing any English- yet eventually graduated at the top of his high school class. He shared how the United States offered him, and countless others, the opportunities to succeed. He therefore considered it an honor to serve his adopted homeland.
The students, ranging from 5th to 12th grade, listened intently to Colonel Neroulias’ stories—from the battlefield, coping with stress and loss, to his travels around the world, his love for family, and his message that we should all live by the motto: HONOR, COUNTRY, DUTY, and RESPECT. He also spoke about the importance of preserving the Greek language and culture, both of which have made a lasting impact on the world.
Students asked Colonel Neroulias a lot of questions, including how he learned English so quickly (by listening to his classmates and working closely with his teachers), how he felt serving in a dangerous country (he was not afraid for himself, but for the soldiers under his command), and whether he had a nickname (he was called “Andy” because non-Greeks struggled with “Andonios” until they eventually settled on “Tony”).
Residing in Westchester with his family, Colonel Neroulias, plays a prominent role in the Greek-American community and church, and frequently takes the time to visit schools and youth centers. He enjoys traveling and especially meeting Greeks in other parts of the world and even narrated how he attended an Orthodox service in South Korea!
Concluding his deeply inspirational talk on what it means to serve your country with faith and courage, the students presented Colonel Neroulias with gifts (including an icon of Saint Demetrios by the graduation class of 2026- something that deeply moved the honored guest).
The Saint Demetrios School community expressed in a press release that it was both a privilege and an honor to welcome Colonel Andonios Neroulias.
In tribute to all who have served, the school extended its wishes for a blessed Veterans Day 2025 to the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, whose sacrifices uphold the promise of American freedom.
