Vallone Celebrates Greek Independence Day
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| City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. stands with honorees at City Hall Wednesday, April 11 during a celebration of Greek Independence Day. |
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In recognition of New York's large Greek- American community, Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr., joined by colleagues Jimmy Vacca, Vincent Gentile and Alan Gerson, celebrated the 186th anniversary of Greek Independence Day in Council Chambers at City Hall on Wednesday, April 11, commemorating the revolution that began on March 25, 1821 that led to the creation of the modern Greek nation.
Vallone said it was fitting for the celebration to be held in the chambers of a democratic government, as it was Greece where the first democracies flourished. It was particularly appropriate this year, Vallone continued, when the blockbuster movie "300" has brought fresh attention to the brave Greeks who sacrificed their lives at Thermopylae and Marathon to protect freedom for future generations.
"If it wasn't for those 300 Spartans, and thousands more Greeks that gave their lives fighting tyranny, then democracy would have been snuffed out. We owe our way of life today to those Greeks battling all those years ago, and we celebrate their memory tonight," Vallone said. "Our world is a better place today because of the long history of Greek traditions that have enriched this world for centuries."
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| Vallone poses with U.S. Marine Colonel Matthew Bogdanos, with whom he worked during his years as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's office. The two are holding Bogdanos' book, The Thieves of Baghdad. |
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On hand to celebrate the event were the Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus, the Consul of the Greek Consulate, The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York and the America Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. Vallone and the other officials honored several Greek-Americans with Council Proclamations for their contributions to New York City. Among those honored were George Florakis, a noted ophthalmologist, George Lykourezos, a popular Brooklyn restaurateur and Matthew Bogdanos, a Marine and Manhattan prosecutor who helped recover thousands of ancient antiquities after the fall of Baghdad. Cypriot Consul The Honorable Martha Mavrommatis was also honored for her many years of service, as this was her last official visit to City Hall as Consul General.
More than 300 attendees enjoyed the officials' speeches, a few songs from the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir, dancing by the Hellenic Dancers of Staten Island, and delicious Greek food following the event. |
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