Commemorating the 4th of July on behalf of the American Hellenic Council

We are uniquely honored on this 4th of July to celebrate our 200 years of friendship through World Wars, conflicts, threats, and a sense of common purpose and unity that has united our nations through two centuries!  The “Age of Pericles” had a unique impact on America’s Founding Fathers and especially, President Thomas Jefferson at the time of the birth of our nation!  In World War II, it was Greece that provided the first victory of fascism and totalitarian rule!  On that basis, it was President Harry S. Truman that developed the Truman Doctrine to aid Greece at a critical time and the Marshall Plan to rebuild a nation devastated by war!  The Truman Statue and the Marshall Memorial stand tall for Greeks to see and be reminded of this lasting friendship! The strength of this lasting friendship was clearly evident in the address of Prime Minister Mitsotakis to a Joint Session of Congress last month where his theme emphasized how Greece remains a faithful ally of the United States in vision, strength and commitment to freedom!

Re-emphasizing the 200 years of courage, friendship and common destiny is clearly observed in the words of the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Greece, the Honorable George J. Tsunis in celebrating America’s Birthday:

“Today, we celebrate America’s declaration of independence.  We celebrate the quest of a nation and a diverse group of people – representing all walks of life, sexuality, beliefs, and faith – who were united 246 years ago and remain united by a shared dream of equality and the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for all.

This dream of democracy was born right here in Athens.  It was here that, for the first time in the history of the world, everyday citizens were empowered and ennobled as stewards of their collective destiny.  They were charged with protecting the democratic rights and freedoms of their society and putting them in service to the greater good of all.

Since the golden age of Pericles, the light of this democracy has guided the world’s path forward, dispelling the darkness of tyranny however menacingly it threatened.

This dream of democracy inspired the founding of the United States. It sparked the friendship of Thomas Jefferson and Adamantios Korais.  It united our peoples – as many brave Americans joined Greeks and courageously fought by their side for Greece’s independence 201 years ago, with the cry of “Liberty or Death! It’s the promise we’ve shared ever since – that the flame of democracy would never die.”

Now is the time for America to share that special relationship and provide the much-needed F-35 Lightning II to Greece and to continue to support the efforts of former US Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt as Assistant Secretary of Energy to complete the much needed “Eastern Mediterranean Pipeline” for the future of Greece, the European Union and the United States!

Let Freedom Ring,

Dr. James F. Dimitriou

President & Chairman

American Hellenic Council