Brothers:
On Monday, May 25 Memorial Day, an American Federal holiday, we honor the ultimate sacrifice of U.S. armed forces men and women who died in battle. May their memories be eternal.
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and originally was known as Decoration Day. It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans normally observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades but this year unfortunately there will be no official parades and for me I must admit problematical. This year AHEPA’s Supreme President Brother George Horiates has called for all AHEPA members worldwide to honor those who died in service to our nation and to participate in an AHEPA Global Moment of Silence on this Memorial Day at 3 PM (post any video or photo relating to this day you perform online and send to ahepa@ahepa.org). We ask that all attempt to participate. I would like also to take this opportunity to personally thank on behalf of the Officers and Directors of our District Lodge all our veterans for their service to this great land, and also to thank our Director of Veteran Affairs Brother Michael Labatos for his fine work in that capacity.
Over the years many AHEPA Family members have served our armed forces and some have perished in that service to our nation, and I know many of you have lost members of your own family relating to that service. In my own family for example we lost my uncle George A. Catsos, born in New Jersey, who died in battle in the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on the “Day of Infamy” on Dec. 7, 1941 and is entombed in the U.S.S. Arizona National Memorial. On this day, and in a very difficult current time for all of us, let’s remember those that perished and their sacrifices for us and America and for passing on and helping preserve for us our unique liberties and rights with our AHEPA Global Moment of Silence. God Bless all of you, and God Bless America.
Fraternally yours,
Brother Lou Katsos
AHEPA District 6 Governor