Greek Community, County Mark 192nd Year of Greece’s Independence

CREST HAVEN – Children from St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Anglesea, attired in native Greek garb, braved a cold wind, March 23 to watch the blue and white flag they held only moments before, hoisted beneath the American Flag at the County Administration Building to mark the 192nd year of Greek independence.
Actual Greek Independence Day is March 25.
After the brief outdoor ceremony, during which the children, pupils from the church’s Greek school, under direction of Eleftheria “Rita” Efthimiou, teacher, led the small group singing the national anthems of the United States and Greece, the band of children and their parents went inside.
There, Dr. Lestor Katzanas, event organizer, told the children and others, including three county freeholders, about the meaning of freedom and independence. William Mitchell, church council president joined Rev. Stephen Vlahos, Marc Karavan, and others to mark the gala occasion that marks freedom and liberty.
Following a group photo of the church council members with freeholders and Rev. Steven Vlahos, pastor, Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton invited the youngsters into the freeholders’ meeting room.
Once inside, the colorfully clad schoolchildren raced to the dais, where freeholders sit, and took the seats ordinarily taken by the five-member board.
Once the gavel fell, Thornton told the youngsters how resolutions are passed. Then, he had one of them offer a resolution making March 23, 2013 Greek Independence Day in Cape May County. Once that was made and seconded by another youngster, Thornton told the young board to vote. All voted in the affirmative, thus the day was declared Greek Independence Day in Cape May County.
Proud mothers, fathers and grandparents snapped photos of their offspring seat beneath the Cape May County gold seal behind the freeholders’ seats.
Earlier in the day, the revelers marked the special day in North Wildwood with short ceremonies and raising of the Greek flag there outside the city recreation center at Ninth and Central avenues.
In Washington, D.C., President Barack Obama signed a proclamation for Greek Independence Day…
Presidential Proclamation — Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2013
GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY: A NATIONAL DAY OF CELEBRATION OF
GREEK AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, 2013
– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Each year, America celebrates Greek Independence Day to strengthen the bonds between the birthplace of democracy and the world’s oldest republic. We recognize the enduring contributions of Greek Americans, woven into the fabric of our national life. And we reflect on the ancient Hellenic principles that inspired our Founders to vest the powers of government in the hands of the people.
In both America and Greece, we are inheritors to great republics, entrusted to safeguard the ideals that make representative government work. Our peoples have learned that democracy flourishes when we respect our differences, hold fast to the principles that unite us, and move forward with common purpose. It is a legacy lived by generations of Greek Americans, who for centuries have helped write proud chapters in our country’s history and continue to enrich the character of our Nation.
Today, we congratulate Greece, a valued NATO ally, as it commemorates the 192nd anniversary of its independence, and we pledge our continued solidarity as the country works to rebuild its economy. In the face of hardship, America stands with the people of Greece, confident they can meet the challenges of the 21st century while upholding their ancient ideals.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2013, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA