CHERRY HILL, NJ – [Story, photos by Steve Lambrou]
AHEPA Supreme President Chris Kaitson and Supreme Governor Dean Moskos visited Cherry Hill, NJ, to meet with chapters and preside over the Philadelphia area’s annual mass initiations of AHEPA members. The annual event was hosted on November 12 in the Grand AHEPA Hall of Camden Chapter 69. Members of chapters from all over the district and members from the Philadelphia-based chapters were in attendance.
Each chapter brought candidates for induction into AHEPA. After a dinner at the Danielle Kousoulis Center, the crowd gathered at the meeting room. They came to see AHEPA’s Supreme President Chris Kaitson of Houston, TX, escorted by the Region’s Supreme Governor Dean Moskos from New York. These brothers were introduced by District 5 Governor Lou Stefanou of the host chapter and his lodge.
The Supreme President presided over the initiation of 11 members. He said that any time a new member comes, it is a cause for a celebration of Hellenism. The inductees were impressed with AHEPA and expressed appreciation to the Supreme Lodge officers.
Special recognition was given to the district’s AHEPAN of the Year, Saint Thomas Parish Council President Anastasios Efstratiades for his support of the Journey to Greece Program. It was noted that past President Savas Tsivicos will host a fundraiser at the Graycliff as his testimonial on December 27, as he approaches the million -dollar mark. Also, the Hon. Harry Karapalides of the Thermopylae Chapter and President of the local Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia, was bestowed with the AHEPA Heroes medal. Finally, the chapter was presented its AHEPA Chapter of the Year plaque from last year by the Supreme President to a standing ovation.
Thereafter, AHEPA Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees George Horiates, a past Supreme President, offered a moving tribute to both of the Supreme Lodge members. He presented them with teak wood gifts from the original deck of the USS New Jersey. He noted that these gifts are a symbolic start to next year’s AHEPA Supreme Convention celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, in July 2026 in Philadelphia. AHEPA, he noted, has secured the Battleship New Jersey for a special evening during the convention.
