WASHINGTON, DC – [Photos by AHEPA / FB]
Each Memorial Day Weekend, AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) remembers and honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Throughout the country, members of the AHEPA family celebrate the lives of those they’ve lost in their communities.
In Washington, DC, despite the unfavorable weather conditions, a cherished tradition continued in the morning of May 23 as Supreme President Chris Kaitson, joined by Supreme Secretary Themistocles Frangos, Sons of Pericles Supreme President Basili Ronstadt, Executive Director Basil Mossaidis, and Chapter 515 President Kyriakos Mossaidis, led the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, in honor of 650 Greek American veterans.
According to a post by AHEPA, more than 70 members from the MidAtlantic Region, representing over 12 Chapters in District 3-including Baltimore, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Washington, DC, Fairfax, Arlington, Vienna, and Ashburn- came together to pay tribute to the fallen heroes, presenting a wreath and pausing in remembrance, despite the cold and wet weather conditions.
This solemn ceremony has been held annually since 1949.
John Costalas of AHEPA Chapter 383 in Silver Springs, MD, served as the event coordinator.
Also, each year, AHEPA’s Supreme President separately lays a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – a proud tradition since 1924.
Supreme President Kaitson expressed appreciation to all participants for their dedication and invited them all to the annual breakfast hosted at Metro 29 Diner.
Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day emerged in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.
