Greek Americans celebrate Independence Day
NEW YORK 30/03/1998 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
Greek Americans yesterday held a parade on Wall Street in celebration of the 177th anniversary of the March 25 Greek Independance Day.
New York City Mayor Rudolf Guilianni, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America Spyridon, members of the Greek Parliament, Greek Americans and Americans observed the parade, while a Greek presidential guard unit of Evzones participated.
Mr. Guilianni, in his address, noted the close bonds of the United States and Greece as well as the impact of Greek culture and Greek Americans in forming American culture.
Archbishop Spyridon noted the struggles of Greeks for their freedom are marked by this celebration.
In a related event at the Greek Consulate in Chicago, Council of Hellenes Abroad President Andrew Athens presented Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos with a medallion of honour.
In New York on Saturday night, the Federation of Greek Associations of Greater New York bestowed on Mr. Pangalos its "Greek Independence" award, which was introduced for the first time this year.
The award was presented to Mr. Pangalos for his "invaluable contribution to the Greek state and to democracy".
[ Athens News Agency - www.ana.gr - March 30, 1998 ]