PAWTUCKET, RI –
Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-33, Coventry and West Greenwich), together with the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church community of Pawtucket, hosted a Veterans Day commemoration and luncheon at the Assumption Church and Community Center on November 16.
The day began with a Sunday liturgy at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, followed by a trisagion commemorating deceased parishioner veterans who had served in the United States Armed Forces since the founding of the parish.
After the church service, the community came together in the Community Center for a luncheon, during which organizer Sharon Turk introduced Ioannis Apostolakis, President of Olympia Chapter 121,Fr. Philip Zymaris, State Senator Leonidas “Lou” Raptakis and recognized the fourteen current veterans which included Lou Bellas, Philip Bio, George Cicma, Matthew Joanidis, Constantine Koutsoukas, Charles Lehourites, Chris Limnios, Alexandria McNamara, Samuel Matook, Mathew Milas, Charles Roditakis, Theodore Soukatos, Anastasios Tzaferis, and Dr. Thomas Walsh.
Rhode Island State Senator Lou Raptakis issued Senate proclamations honoring veterans for their service in the United States Armed Forces and expressing gratitude for their courage and patriotism.
Dr. Thomas Walsh and Alexandria McNamara
The Assumption community took this opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude to both deceased and living veterans of the parish, honoring their service and bravery. Among those present were Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Principal Panagiota Vastis, Greek language teachers Sophia Augoustakis and Stavroula Papavasiliou, past AHEPA president John Lyssikatos, and retired Reverend George Economou.
Alexandria McNamara, a United States Air Force veteran who was honored, expressed: ‘We should support veterans every day and thank them not only for their service but also for their bravery and courage while they served our nation”.
