ALBANY, NY – [Photos by AHEPA 6 & Chapter 455]
The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) District 6 gathered aboard the USS Slater, known in the Hellenic Republic as the AETOS, to commemorate OXI (OHI) Day and honor our veterans on October 28.
Master of Ceremonies, Daughters of Penelope Grand Treasurer Lainie Damaskos-Christou guided the program. Past AHEPA District 6 Governor Louis Katsos delivered the keynote address. He focused on the history of OXI Day and the effect of World War II on Greece including the common bonds between US and Greece in their response to conflict.
Lieutenant Governor Michael Tribunella represented AHEPA Empire State District 6. Lt. Col. Thomas E. Danas, U.S. Air Force Ret., AHEPA District 6 Director of Veterans Affairs, and AHEPA OXI (OHI) Day Event Chairman Michael Koutsourades organized the event and brought the tribute together. The history of OXI Day was read by Francis Kneussle from the USS Slater. AHEPANs from Albany, Poughkeepsie, Troy, West Nyack and Manhattan chapters were in attendance. The ceremony included Rev. Fr. Neofitos Sarigiannis of St. Sophia Church in Albany delivering the invocation.
The USS Slater has a history that connects the United States and Hellenic Republic. Built as a Cannon-class destroyer escort, it was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served during World War II, including escorting convoys across the Atlantic. In 1951, the ship was transferred to Greece under the Military Defense Assistance Program and renamed AETOS, meaning “Eagle.” It served in the Hellenic Navy until 1991, then returned to the United States and preserved as a historical museum.
OXI (OHI) Day recalls October 28, 1940, when the prime minister of Greece rejected Benito Mussolini’s ultimatum demanding the country’s surrender and neutrality. The Greek response – “OXI” (OHI), meaning “No”—became an enduring symbol of courage and a nation’s determination to defend its freedom and dignity. Greece’s resistance drove Italian forces back into Albania, marking the Axis’ first major land defeat of World War II. Military victories by the Greeks gave hope to people around the world against Axis aggression.
Aboard a ship that once served the Hellenic Republic for 40 years, the OXI (OHI) Day commemoration brought history to life as a fitting venue to honor AHEPA Armed Forces veterans whose courage, service and sacrifice deserves to be remembered.
In a 1941 broadcast, Winston Churchill praised the Greek Army, saying its soldiers had “revived before our eyes the glories which, from the classic age, gild their native land.” As Churchill said, “Greeks don’t fight like heroes; heroes fight like Greeks”.
Hellenic Armed Forces Veterans honored: Lt. Col. Tom Danas and AHEPA Chapter 455 President Dimitrios Misantonis awarded the distinguished Order of AHEPA medal for Military Service to Brothers Demetre Karavanas, Dimitrios Karounis, and Demetrios Pantelis for their dedicated service.
AHEPA District 6 Lt. Governor Michael Tribunella presented a commemorative plaque to Event Chairman Michael Koutsourades in recognition of his faithful commitment to organizing this remarkable and historic OXI (OHI) Day event for the past seven years.
Lt. Governor Tribunella encourages every AHEPA member, all veterans and our youth to visit the USS Slater/AETOS Destroyer Escort Historical Museum at the Port of Albany, New York and experience firsthand the ship’s history and its unique connection to both the United States and the Hellenic Republic.
Today, the SLATER has a third life as a museum ship in Albany, NY and continues to serve both the American Navy and Hellenic Navy by educating thousands of visitors annually on the important contributions of Destroyer Escorts and their brave crews.
The mission of AHEPA is to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.
The USS Slater Destroyer Escort Historical Museum hosted the event with support of AHEPA Chapter 140 in Albany, NY.
For more information on the USS Slater please visit www.ussslater.org.
