o C V ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ Bringing the news ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ to generations of ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915 The National Herald Greek Americans c v A weekly Greek AmericAn PublicAtion www.thenationalherald.com VOL. 14, ISSUE 720 July 30 - August 5, 2011 $1.50 In Washington Trip, Grossomanides Elected New AHEPA Leader Venizelos Says Greece New Officers Will Follow Karacostas’ Coming Back Again Focus on Youth

WASHINGTON – New Greek Fi - newspaper Kathimerini reported nance Minister Evangelos that he was buoyed by his meet - By Constantine S. Sirigos Venizelos, in an address at the ing with Geithner and IMF Man - TNH Staff Writer Peterson Institute for Interna - aging Director Chirstine La - tional Economics here, said garde, which he described as NEW YORK – Greek America’s debt-crushed Greece is deter - “positive,” and said: “All of us largest organization, AHEPA, mined to restore itself and that together - the IMF, the IIF (an put its continued dynamism on the government’s goal “is to re - international banking agency,) display at its 89th annual meet - turn to positive growth and cre - the American government, the ing, this one in Miami Beach’s ate primary surpluses by 2012,” European Union, the European Fontainebleau Hotel, naming an ambitious benchmark many Central Bank - need to send a Dr. John Grossomanides of analysts said is impossible to strong and clear message: We Westerly, R.I. to replace two- reach. Greece, suffering under have a program, we trust in its term leader Nicholas Karacostas $460 billion in debt and a deficit implementation and its as Supreme President, the high - of more than 10%, is relying on prospects, and we will collec - light of a week of work and the so-called Troika of the Eu - tively achieve our goals.” recreation and the celebration ropean Union-International Venizelos provided no details of Hellenic heritage during Monetary Fund-European Cen - about the meetings, but he ap - AHEPA’s 89th Annual Supreme tral Bank for rescue loans to stay peared satisfied and suggested Convention. afloat. The first series of loans, that both the US administration Grossomanides ran unopposed $155 billion, was begun last and the IMF are fully backing and will try to pick up on Kara - April, 2010 but has failed to suf - Athens in its effort to streamline costas’ legacy, that the organi - ficiently stem Greece’s slide to - Greece’s economy in the wake zation’s recent program of out - ward bankruptcy and the coun - of an agreement by the Euro - reach and efforts to attract the try now has asked for a second zone, the group of 17 countries Community’s youth. For Kara - bail-out, this one for $229 bil - using the euro as their currency, costas it was a bittersweet mo - lion, which means it will be re - to give Greece more time to pay ment. He told The National Her - paying the loans for at least 15 back its loans at a lower interest AP Photo/Petros GiAnnAkouris ald that the sad part was to see years or more under new re - rate. “The discussion I had today This Trip Not Ruined a period of accomplishment structuring terms and a selective with US Treasury Secretary Gei - come to an end although he said default on its obligations. De - thner was very specific, very A group of Spanish university students from Seville pose for a photo next to a Roman-era funeral what was sweet was the ac - spite those dismal numbers, practical and very positive. The monument on Athens Philopappou Hill as the ancient Acropolis is seen in the background, on knowledgement of Order’s Venizelos, who recently re - US administration supports the July 22. Greece is counting on tourism, it’s biggest industry, to pump in much needed revenues. achievements under his leader - placed the beleaguered Fin. new program for Greece and ship. Min. George Papaconstantinou will express its support to the Karacostas said he was confi - as Greece was being besieged markets and the international dent about the future as he by protesters angry their salaries community. This is an act of sup - passed the torch to Grosso - have been cut, taxes raised and port for Greece and its citizens, Frenemies Hold Greek Fate in Balance manides, a man he has worked pensions slashed while the rich who are making sacrifices in or - with for 27 years and “who has and tax evaders have largely es - der for us to restructure our been a phenomenal Supreme caped with impunity, spun an country... as we have a new op - By Marcus Walker College in Massachusetts 40 vestors Service cut Greece’s Vice President.” He said he was optimistic note to his audience, portunity in our hands. We Wall Street Journal years ago. The details of their credit rating three notches also pleased to have been shortly after he met with U.S. mustn’t relax, but we do have secret mid-June talks reveal the deeper into “junk” territory, elected to AHEPA’s Board of Treasury Secretary Timothy Gei - to grab this opportunity ahead ATHENS - As protesters battled degree to which two friends - warning that a bailout deal Trustees, who then voted him thner, who is struggling to make of us,” he said, without elabo - police outside Parliament last each with far different prescrip - struck the previous week be - Chairman, so that he can con - sure the United States doesn’t rating. month in a hail of rocks and tear tions for economic salvation - tween European governments tinue to work toward his vision default because of a budget im - Following Venizelos’s ad - gas, Greece’s beleaguered prime hold the fate of Greece in their and banks will almost certainly for the re-invigoration of the or - passe between Democratic Pres - dress, Petros Christodoulou, minister put his hopes in a se - hands as the nation tries to get trigger a Greek default - the first ganization. ident Barack Obama and Repub - head of the Athens-based Public cret phone call to an old friend. its nearly $500 billion in gov - by an advanced Western econ - In his final address as Supreme licans, who control the House Debt Management Agency, who “Let us form a government of ernment debt under control. omy in decades. Greece’s plight President, Karacostas remarked of Representatives. appeared with the Greek Fi - national salvation,” George Pa - Their success or failure weighs has terrorized European finan - how he could never have imag - In his speech, The Greek nance Minister, said Greece has pandreou, the Socialist Prime on the potential survival of Eu - cial markets for months. ined as an 18-year-old Son of Debt Crisis: Challenges and Op - not requested additional finan - Minister, said to his chief rival, rope’s shared currency, the euro, Moody’s said the €109 billion Pericles - who joined because he portunities, Venizelos outlined cial help from the IMF. “There Antonis Samaras, head of the crowning achievement of 60 (about $157 billion) bailout wanted to play softball - that he Greece’s efforts to rein in its has not been a request,” he told Greece’s conservative opposition years of European unification. gives Greece a shot at revival af - would be standing before a large public spending and reduce its and a buddy since the two men On July 25, European bond massive debt pile. The Athens Continued on page 7 were roommates at Amherst markets fell after Moody’s In - Continued on page 7 Continued on page 5 George Contas: The Gentleman James Poll–Restaurateur and More

Legendary Knockout Brown By Constantine S. Sirigos Packed A Really Big Punch TNH Staff Writer NEW YORK – Many Greek American family histories begin By Steve Frangos member of Greek-American his - with the story of a name. When TNH Staff Writer tory. As “KO” Brown, Contas people first encounter the name boxed against nearly every top of the family of entrepreneurs As one of the most recog - welterweight and middleweight named Poll, few guess that it is nized Greek-American champi - in the United States and Aus - Greek. When James Poll – who ons of professional boxing one tralia. From 1911 until 1920, no said he regrets the de-Hellenisa - would think George Contas one could knock him out or tion of his family name as a loss would, like famed wrestler Jim come close to it in nearly 200 of his identity – tells you he once Londos, still be an acclaimed - professional fights. With such a owned ships, restaurants and a stunning professional boxing nightclub, and that his sons op - record, Contas should be re - erate some of the New York called by Greek Americans from area’s finest establishments, you sea to shining sea. But, alas, are pretty sure you are speaking Andonios those few dozen men who were to a Greek. But after exchanging Greek American professional some words with this sharp-wit - boxers are today only recalled ted and dapper gentleman in his Defends Fr. by their families and by non- ninth decade, one wants to hear Greek fans of the history of the full story. American boxing. It begins of course, with a jour - Recachinas Contas was born in Sparta, ney, and an even earlier name Greece on Aug. 25, 1891. His change. James Poll’s father was father brought the 8-year-old named Angelos and his father’s By Theodore Kalmoukos George to Chicago in 1899. family was named Voyagis, but TNH Staff Writer While vague reports exist in the when the grandfather became a published press that Contas’ priest, hewing to tradition, he BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Bishop original Greek name was very changed it to Papadopoulos. Andonios, Chancellor of the long I have as yet to discover James Poll (L) has owned ships, restaurants and nighclubs in N.Y. His sons - that is Dean to his Greek-Orthodox Archdiocese of his name before it was short - Continued on page 4 right - are the third generation of entrepreneurs. Jame’s father Angelos started the dynasty. America, has asked parishioners ened. He was placed in gram - at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox mar school once he reached church here to refrain from what Chicago but proved too uncon - he said was gossip over the res - trollable for his teachers and ignation of their priest, Father was soon sent to a school of cor - Sophocles Waits to Stand in New York Park Demetrios Recachinas, who they rection in Woodstock, Illinois. alleged was cruising truck stops The first time Contas ever pulled for sex with men, and who An - on a pair of boxing gloves was By George P. Embiricos led by King Leonidas of Sparta, Greek civil war of 1945-49 and donios said is now seeking pro - in the exercising room there. Special to The National Herald who kept the Persian Army at the relaxation of restrictive fessional evaluation. He also said During his first boxing match, bay in 490 B.C., stalling an in - American immigration laws in that the scandal could give plea - Contas punched out four teeth ASTORIA, N.Y. - A larger than vasion until the rest of the 1962. The Athens Square Com - sure to Satan. In a letter dated of his opponent. His father was life-sized statue of the ancient Greeks rallied. Stamatiadis men - mittee promoted the Park’s ren - June 22 to the parish here, An - immediately wired to come and Greek tragedian Sophocles has tioned that the Committee will ovation, with Stamatios Lykos donios acknowledged difficulties take his by-then 12-year-old son been completed and is awaiting probably include a list of all do - as the architect. With the inten - surrounding Recachinas’ depar - away. Young Contas did not say installation in Athens Square nations made so far in order to tion of creating “a little bit of ture, but said: “I once again urge long in Chicago, traveling to Park on 30th Street and 30th spur further fundraising, Athens in Astoria,” the Park en - all of you to refrain from gossip - Kansas City to visit a cousin, Avenue here, waiting to be the adding, “It is our hope that compassed three zones: a cen - ing or judging anyone, both of most likely George Pepers, who newest addition to a pantheon throughout the United States, tral court with amphitheater which are most detrimental and owned a flower store and hired of famous Greeks adorning the there are 300 Greek Americans and sculpture, a recreational have always been considered un - young Contas. Pepers had his popular gathering spot. The life- that can support this project as space, and a seating area along acceptable behavior by the own aspirations to be a boxer like statue is currently standing a thank you to the country for the perimeter. Further renova - Church. The Archdiocese is con - and had received some profes - in the Modern Art Foundry in the opportunities it has provided tions in 1993 focused on new tinuing its investigation of those sional training. It must have Astoria, where it was cast. It will them.” trees and plantings, benches been Pepers because he’s always be installed in the park as soon Athens Square Park’s cre - and tables, a playground, and a Continued on page 3 identified in news accounts as as the necessary funds are ation was funded by New York basketball court. Contas’ cousin and a fellow pro - raised, said George Stamatiadis, City and the groundbreaking The seven-and-a-half foot fessional prize fighter. Later Treasurer of the Athens Square ceremony occurred in 1990. Ac - statue will not be lonely. Already newspaper accounts report that Committee. cording to the Department of included in the Park is a bronze For subscription: Contas had even tried his hand In an interview with The Na - Dennis Syntilas (R) with Chris Parks and Recreation’s website, statue of the philosopher 718.784.5255 as a wrestler in his early years. tional Herald, Stamatiadis said Vilardi, sculptor of the statue the idea to reuse the then-run - Socrates, designed by the artist [email protected] Contas was a welterweight that following a $64,000 dona - of Sophocles that will soon down play space as a neighbor - Anthony Frudakis, and three fighter who fluctuated between tion from TransCanada, there is grace Athens Square Park. hood gathering place originated Doric columns on a circular 145 and 155 pounds during his “roughly another $90,000 to be with members of Astoria’s siz - base, installed in 1996. In 1998, professional career. Weight did raised.” The Committee has re - ald, requesting that 300 Greek- able Greek-American popula - the city of Athens donated a cently begun an advertising Americans donate $300 each in tion, many of whom had immi - Continued on page 5 campaign in The National Her - the spirit of the ancient fighters grated to New York after the Continued on page 3 2 COMMUNITY THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2011

GOINGS ON...

n THROUGH AUGUST 5 will also be a folk dancing exhi - TARPON SPRINGS, Florida - bition, and continuous Greek mu - Aegean Legacy, a solo exhibition sic. Church tours will acquaint featuring the outstanding works the public with the rich symbol - of artist Pantelis Klonaris, will be ism that is inextricably linked to on display at the Tarpon Springs Orthodox Christian worship. Fi - Cultural Center from June 10 nally, the Festival will feature the thru August 5. A native of Tar - most successful raffle on the East pon Springs, Klonaris has spent Coast, with a total of 270 prizes. the last 30 years designing com - Thursday, August 18 5 p.m. – 10 positions across a wide range of p.m., Friday, August 19 5 p.m. – mediums. His large, vivid, and 11 p.m., Saturday August 20 1 dynamic canvases combine im - p.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday August ages from ancient Greece and the 21 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. The Festival natural world. Klonaris believes is located at 430 Sheep Pasture that his work advocates human Road. For more information, call sustainability, increased social 631-473-0894, email goc.as - awareness, and improved quality [email protected], or visit of life—conditions he considers www.portjeffgreekfest.com. essential to positive human de - J velopment. He uses such varied CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio – 37th Year of Cyprus Tragedy Marked on July 20 Young Professionals Summer Bash in NY sources as world history, technol - Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek ogy, design, and business strate - Orthodox Cathedral presents the Cypriot organizations in NY organized events to mark the 37th The Church of the Evangelismos hosted a networking party on gies to contextualize current 38th annual Greek Festival 2011. year of the Turkish invasion. Seated in the first row at a memo - the Rooftop Lounge of the Empire Hotel in Manhattan on July events and shed light on the Come for amazing Greek meals, rial service at St. Demetrios Cathedral are Costas Tsentas, Pan - 18. All enjoyed the warm summer night outside and live jazz dominant factors that structure such as souvlaki, saganaki, and icos Papanicolaou and Dimitrios Kaloidis. Cyprus’ Consul Gen - inside. This was the last reception before the fall, but the our society. Klonaris attributes calamari, homemade pastries, eral in NY Koula Sophianou and Greek Consul Evangelos parish, led by pastor Nathanael Symeonides, is looking forward much of his sense of social re - live music and dancing. Authen - Kyriakopoulos were also present. to the annual softball game vs. the Hamptons church Aug. 20. sponsibility to his Greek heritage tic Greek music performed by and the role of ancient Greece in three Greek bands, including creating western civilization. Yet Orion Express, and Hellenic he also believes that artists play dancers in traditional folk cos - an essential role in developing tumes. Two tavernas offer Greek society and culture through their wine and beer. The Kid’s Corner visionary abilities to think outside offers treats, two large bounce the box. Free admission. The Tar - houses, and face painting. Thurs - pon Springs Cultural Center is lo - day, August 18 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., cated at 101 S. Pinellas Avenue. Friday, August 19 3 p.m. – 11 For more information, contact p.m., Saturday August 20 12 p.m. Lisa Cobb at 727-942-5605. – 11 p.m., Sunday, August 21 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Festival is lo - n THROUGH AUGUST 7 cated at 3352 Mayfield Road. For (WEEK LONG SESSIONS more information, call 216-923- STARTING EACH MONDAY) 3300, or visit www.cleveland - BOSTON, Mass. – Greek Ortho - greekfestival.com. dox Metropolis of Boston pre - sents Summer Camp 2011 for SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – St. youths aged 8-18. The weeklong George Orthodox Church pre - summer camp sessions embrace sents the 2nd annual Adirondack children from throughout the Greek Festival. Friday August 19 world, and feature a dedicated 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday, Au - staff of counselors, priests, and gust 20 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. The Fes - Medea Shocks Audiences in New York tnh/costAs beJ lay leaders. Activities include tival is located at 55 Main Street. Greek Music and Dancing in Astoria sports, swimming, arts and crafts, For more information, call 518- Euripides’ Medea was presented by the American Thymele The - Yiannis Papastefanou and his orchestra were the featured per - and Greek dancing. Children also 792-2359. atre in with free admission at 3 venues, an Amphitheater above. formers this week at the annual Greek Nights Under the Stars learn more about their Greek Or - Danijela Popovic as Medea pleads and gets a one day reprieve series that drew a large crowd of onlookers and dancers to As - thodox faith and cultural her - WINCHESTER, Virginia – Dormi - from King Creon of Corinth, played by Zenon Zeleniuch. Little toria’s Athens Square Park. Hellenic music and culture will be itage. For more information on tion of the Virgin Mary Greek Or - did the nearby chorus know, that was just enough time for the presented every Tuesday through September 13 by the Athens the camp, please visit www.mb - thodox Church presents the Win - sorceress to work her dark magic. Square, Inc. cultural and educational organization. camp.org or call 603-746-4400. chester Greek Festival August 20-21. Join us for live Greek mu - n AUGUST 6-13 sic, delicious Greek food, and NEW YORK, N.Y. Xoregos Per - great fun for all. The Festival is forming Company presents located at 1700 Amherst Street. In the Spotlight: Irina Constantine Poulos Sophocles' stunning drama, For more information, call 540- Antigone for thirteen free perfor - 667-1416. mances in parks and libraries in By Constantine S. Sirigos again within life’s conjoined op - four boroughs this summer. The n AUGUST 26 – 28 TNH Staff Writer positions. With that always in company continues its tradition ROCHESTER, Minn. – Holy Anar - mind I approach each person as of Greek classical productions gyroi Greek Orthodox Church NEW YORK – Growing up in a unique amalgam of thoughts, with this drama of the fate of di - presents 2011 GreekFest. Au - Athens didn’t necessarily pre - ways of sensing and interacting pus' four children, Polynices, thentic Greek foods, live Greek pare Irina Constantine Poulos with the world. I can then con - Eteocles, Ismene and Antigone. music and dancers, bake sale fea - for her experience when she ar - nect those into a form of expres - When Antigone flouts Creon's turing locally made Greek pas - rived in New York to study sion in dance. With its healing law, is it rebellion or heroism? tries, a carnival for children, Choreography at the Tisch power we can confront life, Should an individual's beliefs su - silent auction, and Church tours. School of the Arts of NYU, but death, and everything in be - persede a King's edict? The pro - Free admission and parking. Fri - being raised by an exceptionally tween, through a poignant ex - duction is directed and choreo - day, August 26 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., loving and supportive family, pression but wordless language. graphed by Shela Xoregos, with Saturday, August 27 11 a.m. – 8 and a having a circle of extraor - TNH: Has your life path been a mix of traditional and modern p.m., Sunday, August 28 from 11 dinary friends provided her with influenced by your Ancient elements. Costumes are by a.m. – 6 p.m. The Church is lo - the spiritual armor that is often Greek heritage? Regina Cate, known for her in - cated at 703 W. Center Street. required to “make it there,” in ICP: Undoubtedly, though in novative designs for San Fran - For more information, call 507- the words of the famous song more abstract ways than per - cisco's Magic Theater. Composer 282-1529. about the Big Apple. After 17 haps expected. The Greek ideals Edward RosenBerg III sets Choral years of dance training, she I was taught as a young student Odes to classical music and CHICAGO, Ill. – Chicago Greek - moved to New York in 2001 at Athens College were embed - sounds the actors make in vari - town presents “Taste of Greece with two 40-year-old suitcases ded in my being in spite of the ous ways. The classically trained 2011” August 27-28. Come for with broken wheels that two of fact that I was never able to re - cast members have performed in food, fun, and dancing from 12 her grandparents had used cite them verbatim. Funnily many New York productions of pm – 11 pm. Located at 100-400 when they had immigrated to enough, it was not until after I plays by Shakespeare, Euripides, S. Halsted Street. For more in - the States back in time. Upon came of age that I felt the irre - Chekhov and others. All perfor - formation, call (847) 509-8050. arriving, she was abandoned by sistible urge to go back and read mances are free to the public and a non-English speaking taxi-dri - our philosophers’ works, a sec - are sixty-five minutes long. For n SEPTEMBER 3 – 4 ver in the woods somewhere ond and a third time around, the outdoor locations you are en - LANCASTER, Calif. – Sts. Con - north of New York. Stranded now truly being able to apply couraged to bring a blanket and stantine and Helen Greek Ortho - with no one to ask for direc - their views to today’s world. picnic. The schedule follows. dox Church presents the Greek tions, she told TNH: “I knew TNH: What’s the greatest les - Antigone starts on time. Satur - Festival 2011, your ticket to the then the journey had begun.” son you've ever learned? day, August 6 at 3:00 p.m. tastes, music, and celebrations of TNH: What drew you to New Irina Constantine Poulos, consumate professional, has had a ICP: Two years ago my father Queens Library at Jackson Greece and the Greek isles. There York? lot of day jobs to feed her choreographers dream in New York. got unexpectedly sick with ter - Heights , Queens; Monday, Au - will be live entertainment, ICP: The dream I was chas - minal cancer that gave him gust 8 at 6:00 p.m. Jefferson dancers, Greek cooking demon - ing after was to study Choreog - TNH: And your more recent rooms looking at Manhattan’s three months of life at the early Market Library, Sixth Avenue at strations, Church tours, door raphy at the Tisch School of the endeavors? skyline from their 17 large win - age of 68. In an effort to prepare 10 Street the Village, Manhattan; prizes, a raffle, and lots of Greek Arts, which in my opinion is the ICP: I acted as the movement dows have turned into a perfor - our mother, my little sister and Tuesday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m. hospitality! Saturday from 11 am leading educational institution consultant on a project at the mance production studio, an in - myself, he said certain “whys” Central Park at 80 Street, on lawn – 9 pm, Sunday from 12 pm – 9 in the performing arts. School of Cinematic Arts at the spiring home to dancers, do not have an answer. I later facing the Delcorte Theater, Man - pm. The Festival is located at TNH: New York is a tough University of Southern Califor - choreographers, costume, set, on realized through reading the hattan; Wednesday, August 10 at 43404 30th Street West. For place for an artist. What did you nia, which involved choreogra - lighting, sound and interaction journals he left for us that what 6:30 p.m. Yorkville Branch Li - more information, call (661) do after graduation? phy for body movement-based designers, painters, photogra - he truly meant, but was hard to brary, 222 East 79 Street, Man - 945-1212. ICP: After earning my MFA social games for the rehabilita - phers, composers, musicians, say aloud, was that certain ‘an - hhattan; Saturday, August 13 at in Choreography and Perfor - tion of upper limb sensorimotor and writers — a space in which swers’ are as simple as learning 3:00 p.m. Queens Library at 40- n SEPTEMBER 9 – 18 mance, I founded two dance function of wheelchair confined imagination prevails by bringing how to let go. We live in an era 20 Broadway, Long Island City, STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Holy companies through which my individuals. To those letters, my to life what is deemed by many that promotes a never-ending Queens. For more information Trinity – St. Nicholas Greek Or - creative ideas would come to family has always warmly people as the impossible. struggle for success, which is a call: 212-239-8405 or visit: thodox Church presents its an - life, and pursued the teaching smiled and replied: We’re not TNH: What was Choreo The - great goal to have overall, but I www.xoregos.com nual Greek Festival on the two of movement technique and worried, Bouboulina (my nick - atro’s last production? have found that what we are al - weekends following Labor Day. choreography classes in a vari - name), we know if you were to ICP: It was a collaboration most never told is that we are n AUGUST 18 – 21 All family, friends, and visitors ety of educational and creative be thrown in the midst of the with The Readers of Homer, not invisible, and that we are PORT JEFFERSON, N.Y. – As - are welcome to attend and enjoy settings. Simultaneously, I deep ocean you’d still find a way which put Odysseus’ adventures certainly not infallible. And so sumption Greek Orthodox the delicious Greek food, lively would work as anything imag - to swim your way out. onto the stage of the famous when faced with those irrevo - Church is pleased to present its music, fun, and philoxenia of the inable in an effort to feed the Well, as our good old Hera - 92nd Street Y. We are keeping cable turns of life, we remain annual Greek Festival, a commu - Greek community. Friday, Sep - dream. I used to keep a written clitus would say Panta Rei – our next one a secret until all numbed, instead of gracefully nity event put together by the tember 9 and 16 from 6 pm – 12 list of my endeavors, which I Everything flows. I am now the publicity material is ready, but accepting our loss and carving families of The Assumption. Fea - am; Saturday, September 10 and would periodically send to my Artistic Director and Choreog - we promise that it will be a once a path towards a new future. turing culinary delights like gy - 17, from 2 pm – 12 am; Sunday, family jokingly adding: A life of rapher of Choreo Theatro in a lifetime experience. In this TNH: Do you have role mod - ros, pastitsio, moussaka, souvlaki, September 11 and 18 from 2 pm financial sacrifices is finally pay - (www.choreotheatro.org), a contemporary multimedia man - els? spanakopita, tyropita, and much – 10 pm. The festival is located ing off! The list included: being non-profit Greenpoint-based ifestation, a unique collaboration ICP: Kipling’s poem “If” en - more! Also traditional Greek pas - at 1641 Richmond Avenue. For a paralegal, lighting and cos - performance company, which of modern dance, original music, compasses all that I was raised tries such as baklava, galakto - more information, call (718) tume designer, theater electri - has been making leaps of suc - and never before utilized virtual to strive for. I do think it rele - bouriko, among others. There 494-0658. cian, bouncer, physical thera - cess over the past couple of reality technology provided by vant to our Greek ideals, and pist, gymnastics teacher, Greek years, all thanks to the talent, the School of Cinematic Arts of the way our ancestors wanted language tutor, and insurance generosity of spirit and support USC will shape the timeless us to lead our lives. broker, from which I moved on of a big circle of artists and dilemma of an untold story. TNH: What’s your ultimate QUESTION OF THE WEEK to interior designer and building friends who believed in the idea TNH: What is required to be goal in life? manager, where I was involved which started years ago, during a good choreographer? ICP: To live a full life. It is Vote on our website! in construction and plumbing. a February meeting within two ICP: I sometimes relate being what brought me to New York, And there was the socializing non-heated, badly in need of a choreographer to my idea of the inspiration behind founding You have the chance to express your opinion on our website with the majority of the world renovation rooms at an indus - what genuine parenthood is; the Choreo Theatro, the reason why on an important question in the news. The results will be pub - in New York, meaning the busi - trial building facing Brooklyn’s love one gives, whether that is I laugh when faced with adver - lished in our printed edition next week along with the question ness part of it, just another form waterfront. With the support of to one’s students, collaborators, sity. for that week. of performing really. the Kennedy Foundation, those audiences, or art itself, comes The question this week is: Will you still buy Diaspora bonds back infinitely multiplied. But [email protected] to help Greece? in order to give, one first needs o Yes to understand how the “other” o No feels, thinks, and perceives the If you'd like to nominate a no - o Maybe world on its own. I call this the table member of the Greek The results for last week’s question: Should the Archdiocese Expa nd your mind... careful study of the human spirit American community for “In fund Greek schools? and its innate contradictions. the Spotlight”, please contact 58 % voted "Yes" The National Herald Bookstore People are breathing oxymora, english.edition@thenationalher - 38 % voted "No" (718) 784-5255 • [email protected] and so it is part of human nature ald.com with your suggestions. 4% voted "Maybe" to struggle, strive, fail and thrive Please vote at: www.thenationalherald.com THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2011 COMMUNITY 3 Sophocles Waits Funding to Stand in Athens Square Park in New York

Continued from page 1 Creating a classical sculpture voted to different ethnic groups, with a modern stylistic approach such as Latin, Italian, and Irish. statue of Athena, goddess of wis - pays homage to the past while Stamatiadis also mentioned that dom and protectress of Athens, anchoring it in the present. In the Park has become a popular fashioned by Stavros Geor - researching garments of the pe - spot for tourists over the past gopoulos and Spiro Goggakis. riod that Sophocles lived, I was few years, and is especially at - The city of Chalkidiki donated a inspired by the more ornate at - tractive as a wedding backdrop. statue of the head and upper tire that I imagine a man of his Apart from the fundraising body of the philosopher Aristotle station would wear. The tragedy campaign, all steps towards the to accompany them in 2008. mask, a prop in Greek theater, statue project’s implementation The original statue of Sopho - helps to cue the viewer as to are complete. Stamatiadis stated cles, cast in bronze, was sculpted who this figure was. I worked that the Committee has already by local artist Chris Vilardi, and hard to have this sculpture be elected to place the statue of includes a two-foot base of gran - truly in the round and be visu - Sophocles opposite that of Aris - ite stone. Vilardi’s previous ally compelling from all angles.” totle’s and facing the figure of works include 2 ½-times life- Vilardi went on to state that Socrates, so that it appears the sized renditions of St. Ignatius Sophocles is considered by most philosophers are immersed in di - of Loyola, on display at both modern scholars to be the great - alogue. The only remaining hur - Fordham University and Lincoln est of the Greek tragedians. dle is acquiring the necessary fi - Center. The sculptor spoke to The implementation of the nancial support to transfer the The Queens Gazette about his statue of Sophocles will rein - bronze-cast figure to its final latest work, saying, “By re - force Athens Square Park’s destination in Athens Square searching a historical figure I am Greek roots in an increasingly Park, a move that the Committee better able to portray them in a diversified neighborhood. Sta - hopes will be facilitated by the compelling way. The many tales matiadis commented, “(The advertising campaign aimed at of Sophocles’ physical prowess Park) has evolved into a multi- Greek Americans nationwide. were an influence on my sculp - cultural center. We have all sorts “Non-Hellenes have donated to ture. True to my style, I have of ethnic groups that perform the Park many times in years added movement to what would here.” As frequently as every past,” Stamatiadis said. “It’s time most likely be a static subject. week, there will be nights de - The statues on display in the Park will soon have a new hellenic neighbor. for the Greeks to step up now.” Andonios Takes Allegations Seriously, Says Recachinas Shouldn’t Be Judged

Continued from page 1 health reasons’ was caught by ruary 22 stating that: “Not only thinks that he is okay, he might fervently pray that the Good lationship with our fellow com - many of his parishioners solicit - have our clients observed these reassign him back to the same Lord will bestow upon all of municants. Inappropriate and allegations. Please know that we ing truck drivers for sex at rest activities, but investigators, re - parish. them His healing grace and unacceptable behavior mani - take any allegation most seri - areas of an interstate highway, tained by this office, have inde - Telephone messages to Ando - love.” He added: “We are all es - fested in a desire to ostracize ously and will exercise appropri - they have alleged.” Father pendently verified your activi - nios and Recachinas went unan - pecially pained by, and are very certain groups of people from ate action based on the results Demetrios Recachinas an - ties.” The lawyer gave him one swered. TNH was unable to com - concerned over the divisions the parish, to seek revenge of our investigation.” nounced his departure in March week to resign. On March 6, Fr. municate with the parishioners which have been created within against individuals whether they Recachinas, in a June 10 tele - but refused to provide details, Recachinas, at the end of the who met with Bishop Andonios the community as a result of be in leadership positions or reg - phone interview with The Na - nor did the Archdiocese or Parish Liturgy, suddenly announced his because they had left on vaca - what has transpired. We fer - ular parishioners, to boycott tional Herald would not explain Council President George Mour - resignation for “reasons of tion. Shortly after breaking the vently ask that peace and har - events so as to undermine the why other than to say, “I am on izakis. health.” He is considered one of story, TNH received a serious mony be restored. While there parish’s financial stability, and to a leave of absence for reasons of The parishioners who the most prominent and success - threatening message by e-mail, may never be agreement within pass judgment on others can health and for personal reasons.” charged Recachinas with what ful priests of the Archdiocese. which was reported to the po - the parish about what actually only result in worsening the an - He repeatedly refused to discuss they called inappropriate con - TNH is in a position to know lice. transpired and /or how the issue imosities which threaten the what either problem was, other duct unbecoming a priest told that shortly after the newspaper SEEKING HELP should have been addressed by unity of the parish.” than to say his health problem TNH that many of them had seen broke the story that Andonios In his letter, Andonios also those within the community, we Andonios went on to state in was, “serious enough, but finally, him in the rest stop areas of In - called into a meeting at the Arch - wrote that, “Please know that in strongly implore and ask that for his letter that “continuing this thank God, I will overcome it.” terstate highway Route I-95 dioceses some of the parishioners response to our directive, Father the “good of the community”, state of affairs would give great He said only his problems “are seeking truck drivers and other who had spoken to the newspa - willingly consented to see a pro - everyone focus their attention delight to the Evil One whose personal issues and I would not men for sexual purposes. They per on the record about the ac - fessional for evaluation so that and their energies on working missions it is to sow dissension want to go into.” He said did not want their names (TNH tions of their priest. Andonios al - we can determine if there are together to rebuild the unity and division within the Body of whether he serves in another has their names on file) used, legedly attempted to blame the any issues which have arisen at which has been shaken, so that Christ. His desire is to distance parish “depends on the Archdio - but one said, “I have seen him in parishioners, saying that, “You this point in his life and what you may be perfectly joined to - people from God and their Faith cese when the time comes, now the car doing the act with men… stultified your parish with your needs to be done to address gether.” and certainly to undermine the I am on a leave of absence. When ” and another said the priest un - statements to TNH.” The parish - them. Know that he is deeply In another part of his letter, work of the Church. Therefore, the time comes the Archdiocese wittingly tried to solicit him be - ioners told Andonios that, “The pained by whatever has tran - he added: “As members of a as people filled with the empow - will discuss the issue with me fore realizing who he was. They parish has been ridiculed by the spired and especially that the life Christian Community, we cannot ered by the Spirit of God, let us and it will be taken care of prop - said they hired a lawyer, Harold actions of the priest and your at - of the community he served has set our minds on earthly things rise above the controversy and erly as the Archdiocese sees it.” Pickerstein, who employed pri - tempts who are trying to cover been gravely affected. I ask that and seek to satisfy personal let us all work towards restoring On June 16, TNH reported vate investigators to follow Re - it up.” Antonios reportedly told you keep him, Presbytera and agendas and selfish egos. We the loving, spiritual community that, “The priest of the Holy Trin - cachinas and that they had con - the group of the parishioners their beloved children in your must always strive, to the best which existed before this con - ity Greek Orthodox Church here firmed he was cruising the area who made the revelations that prayers, for as you can well ap - of our ability, to rise above and troversy “lest Satan should take who resigned abruptly after 29 for sex contacts. Pickerstein sent Recachinas was sent “for evalu - preciate, this is most painful and ever cognizant that we reveal advantage of us, for we are not years of service for ‘personal and a letter to Fr. Recachinas on Feb - ation,” and if he (Andonios) difficult time for the family. We our true spiritual state by our re - ignorant of his devices.” 4 COMMUNITY THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2011 Gentleman James Poll – Restaurateur, Raconteur, Family Man

Continued from page 1 could within a year to buy the land also. He couldn’t match an James’s father Angelos hailed offer later though. from Adrianople in Thrace and CLUBBING NIGHTS came to New York when he was When the owners of the fa - 21. His mother’s Makris family mous Greek nightclub Dionysos roots are not too far away, in on 54th Street and Second Av - Agathoupolis on the Black Sea enue - Takis Stambolis from coast, near Constantinople. Alexandria, Egypt and the noto - Katherine came to New York in rious Paul Sapounakis - decided 1912, after the Bulgarians took to open a Russian night club, over her hometown in the they asked Poll to join them. Be - Balkan wars. When the Greeks ing an owner of Casino Russe at beat the Bulgarians to the war’s 125 East 54th Street in Manhat - real prize, the great city of Thes - tan turned out to be a fantastic saloniki, the Bulgarians were fu - combination of extremely hard rious and drove Greeks from work and alot of fun. Movie stars their lands. Her family and thou - and notables of all kinds came sands of refugees fled to Thessa - in, including Henry Kissinger. loniki, where they had to stand The celebrities wanted to meet on line for an hour to get a loaf the owner, which wasn’t the case of bread. Her brothers were al - in the restaurant business. He ready in New York and brought told TNH he had a great crush her over. They were among the on actress Joan Fontaine for Greek families who lived on 37th years. One day a beautiful Street in Midtown, between the woman came in when she was long-gone elevated trains that checking her coat he said to her brought noise, and mid-day excitedly, “My God you look like darkness along with rapid transit Joan Fontaine,” and she replied, convenience to Manhattan’s “I am.” Sixth and Ninth avenues. “I wouldn’t do it again, but it Angelos worked in Constan - was a great experience,” James tinople for a few years, where he Photo courtesy oF Poll FAmily said of running a night club. The learned to speak French and Above: Angelos Poll (R) in his Manhattan delicatessen. The carried members of the then-new Order of AHEPA, flush with down side was coming home at earned enough money to come well-stocked store with its attractive displays was a neighborh - their success in America, to Greece in 1928. Below: The S. S. all hours of the morning, not be - to New York. Among the first to good mainstay and a source of family pride. Below Left: Kather - Ramapo, an oil tanker, is one of serveral ships James Poll has ing able to spend time with his write the Greek American suc - ine and Angelos Poll pose on the deck of the S.S. Sinaia, which owned, and he was also a championship sailor. family. The first month in the business he lost 30 pounds, run - ning around all the time, con - suming mainly Coca Cola. The club was luxurious with tall ceil - ings in one big room. It was built to be Sardi’s East, to complement the great Theater District eatery. James said the story holds an im - portant lesson: “Never take ad - vice from your customers. They begged him to open a place on the East Side, but they never came.” The live music was terrific he said, including top singers from Europe. Aristotle Onassis came twice. On Halloween, around 1973, James’ wife was all smiles because she planned to come dressed like a witch. He told her not to because among the im - portant customers he expected that night was the Emir of Kuwait. He later relented and told her that although he didn’t think it was a good idea, she could do what she thought was Transfiguration in Corona. He behave yourself.” They went into weekends, 250 seats.” right. He then learned Onassis went to Greek school five days a the office of Pantelis Pappas, a SHIPPING DAYS had a reservation for 12 people. week. The Greek children giant of a man from Patras who After the war his shipping James saw that 10 had arrived, watched their friends go out to ran it from 1915 to 1965. He no - friendships netted James not just and then Onassis came alone. play after school while they went ticed James was fascinated by the a job but owner status. He was a “He had a monster claw and home, partook of milk and crack - boats and asked him if he could partner in a Greek-owned Liberty would frighten people by growl - ers, and went marching off to row. “Yes,” he said, although he’d Ship, and owned and an Ameri - ing at them. I was impressed he learn Greek. Asked about the ex - never rowed, but there he was, can oil tanker when he worked knew about Halloween.” perience he said “Xilo! – beatings in a boat on the lake at 10 o’clock for the Kulukundis family, where James said there were few in - - from the teacher, and after his at night, looking up at the stars, he eventually became CEO. And cidents. There was one man, a father was told: “more xilo!” His blissfully unaware that years later it was time to start a family. Poll cultured Arab, who always came education continued at P.S. 69 his middle son Dean would have had an acquaintance through in with a beautiful woman. At in Elmhurst then P.S. 19 in a chance to become its operator. AHEPA who knew he was look - one point, he became angry and cess story, he worked hard for were held in people’s homes on Corona, and at his father’s store When Dean told his father he ing for a bride, so he was invited slapped her across the face. seven years and then bought a Park and Fifth Avenues and at on Saturdays. made a bid for it, James said, to visit his family at Christmas. When Poll found out he said, “I deli on 10th Avenue and 42nd their estates in Long Island. When he arrived there, now “You’re gonna get it. That’s our James rang the bell and when can’t have that.” Poll told him street. The the area between 8th THANK YOU DR. POLL in the blue truck that replaced Dean, it’s your destiny. You are his future wife opened the door to never come again. He would and 10th avenues was becoming His first job was for a Dr. Poll the horse and wagon, the store going to get it.” he said, “Wow. Who are you?” call and beg, but Poll stood firm. New York’s Greek Town. James who lived on Park Avenue. To be was already opened by his fa - But when James was in his and she said, “I’m Alexandra.” One night the man called and recalled that in the 1930’s it was a caterer, he had to supply liquor, ther’s brother, whom he brought teens, such dreams were alien to They were married in 1950. First said he absolutely had to come filled with coffee houses, one af - so bootlegging was unavoidable. over from Greece. In 1925 An - him. He enjoyed attending the Gillis (Angelos) was born, then that night. He needed to impress ter another, with names like When his father charged him for gelos paid to smuggle in Vasil - High School of Commerce where Dean five years later, and five a very important client. James at Cafenio Nea Demokratia and the drinks, Dr. Poll refused to pay lios, soon to be William Poll, he studied history and bookkeep - years after that George was born. first said “I don’t care,” but when Cafenio Mytilene. saying “It’s illegal to buy liquor,” when he was 17. The $500 they ing and he was studying at NYU By the early 1960’s, the shipping the man continued to beg, he re - It is no surprise that a con - Not in the business of giving gifts paid was a lot of money, but it prior to the outbreak of WW II. industry was in trouble and lented. versation with James Poll is filled to rich strangers, he got even as was a grueling journey. He went There were many Greeks there, James began to look for a new When the party arrived the with interesting histories and only a Greek could. He had al - from Greece to Havana where members of the Delphi Society. career. With his experience in the client turned out to be a big hote - places. Geography and history ready thought Papadopoulos was he waited for a steamer that op - One day he recognized someone family deli business, it made lier from Las Vegas – the owner are his passions, probably trig - too long for the fancy window erated between that city and from Greek events. “Ellinas esi sense to look at restaurants, but of the Sands, but they were ca - gered by a unique boat ride of the store, and he didn’t want New York. He slept on the boilers ise vre – Hey, you’re Greek?” he it was tough going. “I got to sually dressed and the Club re - when he was eight years old. In to be just another Poulos or Pap - and at 4 or 5 in the morning he asked Poll, and they became know every crook in New York. quired a jacket and tie. Poll told 1928 the Order of AHEPA held pas in New York – in one of many would be awakened up, taken to good friends. When he began to They will sell you something but him he was sorry but he was not its first excursion to Greece. The ironies in his son’s life, he didn’t relieve himself and given some work for a friend at a clothing it’s not they said they were sell - dressed for the club. The guest members and their families trav - know James would one day own food and water. When they got store he switched to night ing,” he told TNH. apologized, saying, “If I had eled on big ocean liner, the S.S. the Pappas restaurant in Brook - to New York they told him to, classes. The Greek ship owners Back in Brooklyn, the Pappas known I would have bought a Sinaia, and James remembers lyn’s Sheepshead Bay. Angelos “Walk off the boat and follow used to go there to buy suits and family sold their restaurant to in - suit.” Because he was a gentle - the AHEPAN’s practicing march - had to be different, so he took us.” A taxi took him to the store, he got to know them all. Pearl vestors after WW II, who ran it man about it, Poll said he would ing on the ship, drilled by WW I the name that sounded a bit like where he recognized his bene - Harbor interrupted his studies. for 15 years, but by 1960 it was make an exception for him, even veterans in preparation for their Poulos and put the doctor’s name factor, the brother he had not He wanted to join the Navy, but headed for bankruptcy. A friend though he just sent away another ceremonial March from Omonia on the window. the store, now seen since he was two. his brother-in-law told him about informed James it was available, man for improper dress. The Square to the Greek Parliament. on 75th and Lexington still has The store flourished despite the Coast Guard. His widowed but he passed. Six months later man appreciated it very much That convention was a great mo - the name, though it’s William the Depression which took the mother was frightened she he was visiting the wholesale and said “this man” – the person ment in the history of the Greek Poll, for Angelos’ brother who businesses of many of the first would now lose her son, but a butcher Jason Chios, who ad - Poll had previously banned – “is American community, as it was eventually took it over. When the generation Greek entrepreneurs. woman came and told her she vised him, “Buy the Pappas going to build us a fabulous ho - one of the first times that the East Side opportunity turned up, Many were helped by groups had a dream that James would restaurant,” but when he in - tel. He may be a nut but he Government of Greece recog - so did Angelos’ future wife. At such as the AHEPA and the Ma - not leave New York. After boot quired once more with Pappas, builds great hotels. He’s one of nized and honored its intrepid that time there were very few sons. One night, his father took camp, he was assigned to who had taken it over again, he the greatest architects in the sons and daughters who became single Greek women in the U.S. a different turn when driving Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn was told it was not for sale. Poll world.” The most frustrating mo - successful and influential in the – the men had to go back to home after closing the deli and where the Coast Guard trained told him Chios encouraged him, ments involved customers who New World. Greece to find brides. The family James wondered where they recruits. That’s where he first en - and when Pappas called the mu - tried to steal his candles or the Angelos Poll was one of those of James’ mother Katherine were going. The car turned into countered the famous Pappas tual friend he was told “give it fine sterling silver sugar bowls men, and he was ready to leap moved to 65th Street near Cen - Central Park and he found him - Restaurant, never imagining the to the kid. He’s an AHEPAN, a Sardi had left. higher than most, with the help, tral Park, in another concentra - self in the Boathouse restaurant. role it would later play in his life. Mason, kalo pedi,” etc. Pappas The biggest headache was a as usual, of good luck and tim - tion of Greeks. His mother was His father said to him, “We are “Pappas’s was very successful, “ sold him the restaurant but ad - singer from Paris. He hated New ing, hard work, and people who beautiful and all the Greeks going to meet a very nice man so he told TNH, “packed on the vised him to do whatever he York and everything about the believed in him. After running knew her. club. “Every night there was a the deli a few years he was told Katherine’s brother eventually problem. He was a tall Polish fel - one was for sale on the east side, came to work for James’ father low but he sang the Russian but wasn’t interested. The friend at the deli. When he met and fell songs better than the Russians, ” insisted, saying the seller wanted in love with Katherine, he James said. He had to leave at someone special to take it over arranged for his existing partner the end of the year to sing at the and that he was ideal. Poll went to leave the business and made Follies Bergere in Paris. The reluctantly, “But when he saw it his future brother-in-law the problems left with him, but so he went out of his mind. He had partner. Angelos and Katherine did many customers. to have it, beg, borrow or steal. soon were married in the Cathe - After that he bought a ship It was a gourmet shop and in dral of the Holy Trinity, in it’s old and ran it for a year, but import 1922 its patrons included many building on 72nd Street. They quotas made it impossible to famous leaders of industry such had three children: James, his make a good profit, so he went as the Vanderbilts and Morgans. widowed sister Kristalia, who back into the restaurant business It was on Lexington Avenue lives in Dearborn, Michigan and with a three store operation in and 81st Street. And although it George, a retired chiropractor in the Time-Life Building in Rocke - was an era marked by the inven - New York who was four months feller Center that he ran until that tion of the automobile, Poll re - old when their father was killed lease expired 10 years later. Little members they often made deliv - when his car was hit by an on - by little he retired and his sons eries with a horse and wagon. coming Long Island Rail Road got into the business and ran Poll’s father had to put himself train in the days before there their own restaurants. Today the deep into debt, and it became were proper safely devices. family holdings include Bryant & necessary to go into the catering James grew up for a few years Cooper Steakhouse, Toku and business as well just to stay on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Cippolini in Long Island, which afloat. He said there were only but there were few children to are owned by Gillis and George. three caterers in Manhattan in play with. He was often hailed Dean owns the Riverbay Seafood those days: Robert Day, George as an alumnus of a rich boy’s Bar & Grill in Williston Park, NY, Coker and his father. Since Pro - school. His father eventually and, yes, he did win the conces - hibition was implemented, peo - moved the store to Lexington sion for the beautiful Boathouse ple didn’t have weddings in ho - and 75th Street and the family Photo courtesy oF Poll FAmily in Central Park. tels anymore because there was to Queens, where they became The Poll brothers: (L-R) Dean, George and Gillis, who operate restaurants in Manhattan and no drinking, so the receptions stalwarts of the church of the Long Island. They learned from their dad how to keep their cool in a hectic business. [email protected] THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2011 COMMUNITY 5 Grossomanides New AHEPA Leader, Will Continue Youth Movement

Continued from page 1 accepted the Pericles Award, say - sentation offered by George Bly - the Monte Carlo, but the next ing it was a “privilege” to repre - tas. His book, First Victory, su - year will be dominated by the audience completing his second sent the Greek American com - perbly details the account of the Order’s 90th anniversary cele - term as its leader, and credited munity in Washington and Battle of Crete and Greece's con - bration which will culminate all with whom he worked closely emphasized the importance of tributions to the war effort.” with the special AHEPA Family during his two terms. preserving our Hellenic heritage. Among the beneficiaries of Weekend in Atlanta. Grossomanides is a senior “It means everything to you and AHEPA’s philanthropic activities Grossomanides said to TNH clinical pharmacist at Advanced me,” said Bilirakis, who is an is the St. Jude Children’s Re - that he and the rest of the Pharmacy Concepts, North AHEPAN. search Hospital and the Archdio - Supreme Lodge have hit the Kingstown, R.I., and a member Grossomanides told TNH the cese’s Leadership 100, whose Ex - ground running to prepare for of AHEPA’s Rose of New England convention was one of the most ecutive Director Paulette Poulos the Order’s 90th anniversary and Chapter 110, in Norwich, Con - successful and that rooms had received the Order’s final pledge he has already planned a West necticut. He said, “It is truly an to be booked in a second and installment. Nicky Stamoulis of Coast trip. AHEPA was estab - honor to be elected Supreme then a third hotel to accommo - Seminole, Fla. was elected lished in Atlanta in 1922 by President of AHEPA,” in a time date all the guests. In addition of great challenges for Hellenism, to the organizational planning including the Greek crisis, the and work performed by the Cyprus re-unification talks, and members and officers of all the the plight of the Ecumenical Pa - After John Grossomanides Jr. was sworn in, his father John organization of the AHEPA fam - triarchate, but he added that “the Sr. presented him with the Supreme President’s Jewel as mem - ily, members and their families need for community service is bers of the AHEPA family applauded. enjoyed a number of fun-filled more in demand than ever.” He and enlightening events, includ - told TNH that these are exciting cles Supreme President Spiro Ni - Cyprus to the U.S. received the ing the AHEPA Family Beach times for AHEPA after the Kara - colopoulos, and Maids of Athena AHEPA Aristotle Award and Glendi with its spirited volley costas tenure. He said AHEPA Grand President Kiki Amanatidis Philip Christopher, President of ball competition and other ac - had been successful in attracting recapped their years and pro - PSEKA, received the AHEPA tivities. One of the great conven - young people, especially through vided emotional farewells. The Freedom Award. Harry Lake of tion traditions is the Athletics its athletic programs and Internet 2011-12 Supreme Lodge is com - Dayton, Ohio received the Luncheon, where members were endevors. The Sons of Pericles prised of: Supreme Vice Presi - AHEPA Lifetime Achievement so proud the young Greek Amer - tripled their membership and dent Anthony Kouzounis, Hous - and Nick Aroutzidis, the Presi - icans excelling in athletics and chartered about 10 new chap - ton; Canadian President George dent of AHEPA Canada, received in the classroom who were pre - ters. He continued, “I look for - Vassilas, Montreal; Supreme the AHEPA Meritorious Service sented with National Athletic ward to working with our new Secretary Phillip T. Frangos, East Award. In accepting the Aristotle Award and National Scholar- Supreme Lodge and our mem - Lansing, Mich.; Supreme Trea - Award, Ambassador Vassilis Athlete Awards and scholar - Supreme President Nicholas Karacostas administers the Oath bership to overcome these chal - surer Andrew C. Zachariades, Kaskarelis said, “I will treasure ships. Several accomplished of office to his successor, Dr. John Grossomanides, who stands lenges, address new ones that Brick, N.J.; Supreme Counselor it.” He pointed out that close- Greek Americans were also in - next to his fiancée Anna-Helene Panagakos. will emerge, and keep AHEPA on George Loucas, Brecksville, knit families, much like the ducted into the AHEPA Athletic the steady path set forth by my Ohio; and Supreme Athletic Di - AHEPA family, are the reason for Hall of Fame. The Educational Daughters of Penelope Grand eight visionary Greek Americans predecessors in a spirit true to rector Spiro Siaggas, Atlanta. the endurance of Hellenic cul - Foundation sponsored several President, Manolis Sfinarolakis to protect individuals from big - our mission.” The Order also elected eight new ture. Cypriot Ambassador Pavlos symposia on interesting topics, of Woodbury, Conn. is the new otry, discrimination, and preju - Greek American Comedian regional Supreme Governors Anastasiades thanked AHEPA for including: Behind the Lens by Sons of Pericles Supreme Presi - dice. It has grown to become Basile served as Master of Cere - and a new Board of Trustees. its demonstration of longstand - Pete Yalnis that focused on the dent and Marianthe Kolokithas the largest membership-based monies, and the Keynote Ad - The Grand banquet was the ing solidarity and support the Parthenon Marbles; Future of of Charleston, S.C., is the Maids association for Greek Americans dress was offered by His Emi - occasion for bestowing honors organization has extended to Hellenism by Professor George of Athena Grand President. and Philhellenes in the world. nence Archbishop Demetrios, on numerous outstanding Hel - Cyprus over the years. He dedi - A. Kourvetris, and The Greek The Installation Ceremony of For more information about who conveyed the blessing of lenes. Congressman Gus M. Bili - cated the award to the memory Language in the 21st Century, newly-elected officers officially AHEPA, or how to join, please His All Holiness Ecumenical Pa - rakis, of Florida, received the of the 13 individuals who lost by John Papaloizos. concluded the 89th AHEPA contact AHEPA Headquarters, triarch Bartholomew with whom AHEPA Pericles Award. Vassilis their lives in the tragic munitions AHEPA’s Executive Director Supreme Convention, which be - 202-232-6300, or visit he had just visited. Daughters of Kaskarelis, Ambassador of explosion in early July. Basil Mossaidis, a WW II history gan July 18.. The 2012 www.ahepa.org. Penelope Grand President Chris - Greece to the U.S. and Pavlos REACHING OUT enthusiast, said he was “espe - Supreme Convention will con - tine Constantine, Sons of Peri - Anastasiades, Ambassador of the An emotional Gus Bilirakis cially enthralled by the book pre - vene in Las Vegas, Nevada, at [email protected]

ALL HISTORY George Contas: The Legendary Knockout Brown Packed A Big Punch

Continued from page 1 are fighting under ring names down the stairs from the ring at earned had as much to do with and was handled roughly by which scream loudly of the Irish, the National Sporting club last the way he lost as much as the some of his opponents. Those not seem to matter to Contas as or just plain American. However, night waving his hand to the way he won a fight: “Brown has days and during his early career he would frequently concede 10 when a man is as honest about thousands who cheered him for long been reputed to be a glut - as a boxer, money didn’t stream to even 20 pounds, if the other his dealings as George Contas, the great work he had just done ton for punishment. He proved in fast, and he couldn’t afford fighter agreed to an increase in otherwise Chicago K.O. Brown, against Wolgast, the light-weight last night that he deserves what - many of the things he can easily the number of rounds. As vari - we have nothing to criticize in champion of the world. For the ever honor may accrue from have to-day. As a contrast to ous newspaper accounts report, the matter,” it was reported. second time in a limited bout he such a reputation. Willie Beecher those days kindly witness the the young Greek felt that he By January 1911, Nate Lewis, had routed the bear-cat and left hooked, swung, jabbed, and up - fact he returned from Australia could physically outlast his op - a nationally recognized fight the ring without a mark.” By Au - percut him until Brown reeled, with a neat automobile and sev - ponent, if the other proved to promoter, was identified as Con - gust of 1911 Contas was claim - but try as he might, Beecher was eral bills of a large denomination be a better boxer. As one sports tas’ manager. “Manager Lewis ing by virtue of his record both unable to land the final punch. in his inside pocket.” writer noted: “Brown is not con - thinks he has the greatest thing the American national welter - As it was, a worse beaten man, Much was made in the news - sidered scientific; he is a rugged that ever happened in the fight - weight and middleweight titles. barring a complete knock-out, papers that Contas volunteered fighter, who can take a lacing. ing game in Brown, and came But while the young Spartan had never left the ring at the end of for World War I. His claims of His forte is body punching.” out last night with a statement certainly beaten the title holders, a ten-round fight than Brown wanting to personally fight and What Contas was counting in that ‘Knockout’ would meet any it was in non-title matches. In an last night,” it was reported. knockout the Kaiser made head - these long matches was outscor - man in the world at 145 pounds. era before both radio and televi - But here we run into the con - lines. Still, after the war, while ing the other man since the ma - If he cannot get bouts at this sion, if you didn’t see the fight tinual problem with judging the Contas continued in the profes - jority of boxing matches were weight, Lewis said his protégé in person you had to read about true nature of professional Greek sional fight game, it is clear his not won by clear cut knockouts would give away ten pounds if it on the sports page. But we athletes in North America… headlining days with a steady but by how many points as de - necessary,” the Chicago Tribune must recall this was the golden winning isn’t everything. By stream of bouts was all but over. termined by ring-side judges reported. With so many contra - age of train travel. The nation their own accounts, Greek im - Sometime in the late 1920’s, one fighter had scored over the dictory or undocumented was not only linked by trains for migrant athletes of the 1880- Contas stopped fighting. Curi - other. In the early 1900’s, given Knockout Brown showed ab - claims, we are forced to return commercial reasons but for indi - 1920 wave of migration to North ously, he never became a pro - the conflicted nature of profes - solute fury as a fighter deter - to the basic source material for vidual travel as well. As numer - America were definitely more moter or trainer of younger box - sional boxing in American soci - mined to back down to no one. all researchers: the reports ous newspaper accounts attest concerned by how much money ers, as many other Greek ety, laws on professional boxing found on the sports pages of the towns such as Kenosha, Wiscon - they made. Even the hardboiled immigrants of his generation varied not only from state to he was in the game, fighting un - American national press. Well sin, Peoria, Illinois, Oakland Cal - sports writers of the early 1900’s were prone to do. state but county to county. Some der that name before New York known sports writer Ray C. Pear - ifornia, Hammond, Indiana, knew that rough as Brown might After his retirement Contas boxing bouts were huge events Knockout Brown, the light - son in his Feb. 25, 1912 syndi - Syracuse, New York, Benton Har - be, he had earned his place as a owned and operated a series of while others were held in local weight, even started.” Much of cated column spoke to the na - bor Michigan and elsewhere professional boxer. As this brief gambling parlors. After this, lit - theaters, music halls, and parks. the confusion and contradiction tion on Contas’ career up to that could regularly expect an influx account in the June 30, 1917 tle else is publicly available on As a case in point, in 1912, Con - found in the historical record to - point. “They surely paid some of all manner of sports fans ar - edition of the New Zealand him. American references on the tas fought Eddies McGoorty be - day comes directly from the fact attention when he scored thir - riving by train should the athletic Tablet attests: “Chicago Knock - history of American professional fore “A crowd of 3,500 boxing that many professional boxers teen knockouts in a row. It was contest be popular enough. Al - out Brown loves to appear at his boxers always includes Contas’ fans sat under a sweltering sun claimed to be KO Brown, Kid this string of victories that gave though public gambling was il - favorite haunts in the latest and career. But as I was to learn by in the House of David baseball Knockout Brown, George KO him the ‘Knockout’ handle to his legal the news reports are very most fashionable attire. K.O. going back to the original news - park, which has been used for Brown,’ and so on. This overall name. He has fought everything open about bets being placed by strolled into Chicago assisted paper accounts, much of his ca - professional games all year,” issue of names and ethnic iden - in the way of fighting stock that Brown’s “fellow countrymen” on them in their task. “See these reer statistics are missing from The Chicago Tribune reported tity did not escape the general could be sent against him, and him during one fight or another. shoes?” he remarked holding up these public sources. Unfortu - on July 5 that year. The individ - American public. But as we hear he is willing to bet that a Spartan In his heyday, Brown was an one foot. “Well they set me back nately, since ‘Contas’ was a ual fighters, managers, or other in the Feb. 25, 1911 edition of will be the middleweight cham - incredible fighter. His knockouts 15 dollars. That hat—ten shortened form of his legal backers would often offer cash the Muskogee Times-Democrat, pion of the world before long.” were often all too real. On more plunks. The suit, seventy-five. name, we have no idea when he up-front just to secure a fight even the most racist of White An - This means that Contas, who be - than one occasion Brown The overcoat—fifty-five.” K.O. died by searching public with the winner taking all. glo-Saxon Protestant (WAS) gan fighting professionally at the knocked his opponent out in the Brown passed over a tough and records. As with all the fine pro - Fighters also typically received journalists had a particular ad - age of 16, had made this kind of first round. In Sydney, Australia toilsome journey before he fi - fessional Hellenic athletes in a percentage of the overall ticket miration for Contas since his reputation for himself, within a in 1915 Brown entered the ring nally reached the point where North America, Contas’ full-life sales, simply called “the re - openness and insistence on his period of just five years, by the against Sid Francis “and his first he can make some coin. During story needs to be rescued from ceipts” in news accounts. Side Greek (and especially Spartan) age of 21. punch, a right to the ribs, put his early days he was a wrestler, the pages of history. gambling, which was com - identity was not typical in the MAN OF STEEL poor Sid out of action for several pletely and at all times illegal, professional world of American Contas was a bright star in months; the blow having shifted also took place quite openly. boxing in the early years of the riding the cusp of 1911 on to the cartilage from his ribs,” the EARNING HIS NAME 1900’s. “The visit of Knockout 1912. Here is the opening of the New Zealand Truth reported. In the Feb. 25, 1912 edition Brown to Muskogee brings to report of Contas’ non-title New Other such injuries to other of the Chicago Tribune, Contas, mind a queer turn of the cards York City match against Ad Wol - fighters Contas met in the ring stated that he was “the original in the fighting game. Few laymen gast that took place on March 3, could be noted. POCKET-LESS ‘Knockout Brown.’” He says that know how many Greeks there 1911: “Knockout Brown climbed The obvious respect Contas PITA BREAD Kontos Foods MOUNT ATHOS PILGRIMAGE The Leading Company in Flat Breads SEPT 21 to OCT 5, 2011 Well known for the Pocket-Less Pita manufacturers of Authentic ethnic For information please contact hand stretched Flat bread. Theofilos Russos at (714) 535-0975 kontos the first family in fillo dough and fillo products. www.mtathospilgrimage.com www.GreekKitchennyc.com Fillo kAtAiFi, bAklAVA, sPAnAkoPitA, tyroPitA nut roll, melomAkAronA Exclusively for men and the trADitionAl meDiterrAneAn Desserts. excellent quality and service. We distribute in USA and Canada. special prices for communities, schools, churches book · worm. - noun festivals and other events 1. One who spends much time reading or studying. 2. Any of various insects, especially booklice and silverfish, that infest books and feed on the paste in the bindings. Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition Kontos Foods, Inc b The National Herald Bookstore box 628, Paterson, nJ 07544 (718) 784-5255 tel.: (973) 278-2800 Fax: (973) 278-7943 kontos.com [email protected] a 6 OBITUARIES CLASSIFIEDS THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2011 Michael Cacoyannis, Famed Director of Zorba the Greek and Stella, Dies at 89

ATHENS, Greece — Michael Ca - technical awards at the 1965 Os - ately known. as well as a shop. Many of his coyannis, the Cypriot born-film - cars, while Lila Kedrova won for He was nominated for an films played in Cannes competi - maker and screenwriter who di - best supporting actress. But Ca - Academy Award 5 times. He re - tion. rected the 1964 film classic coyannis and Quinn both lost out ceived Best Director, Best Other films included 1956’s A Zorba the Greek, starring An - to My Fair Lady, which was voted Adapted Screenplay and Best Girl In Black, 1987’s Sweet Coun - thony Quinn, died at an Athens best picture that year. Film Nominations for Zorba the try and 1971’s The Trojan hospital, reported to be Evange - Cacoyannis was born in 1921 Greek, and two nominations in Women; his last film was 1999’s lismos. He was 89. Officials said in the Cypriot port of Limassol, the Foreign Language Film cate - The Cherry Orchard. Cacoyannis Cacoyannis died early July 25 of when the Mediterranean island gory for Electra and Iphigenia. was also a theater veteran (he complications from a heart at - was still a British colony. He stud - Cacoyannis lived in London as worked on the 1983 Broadway tack and chronic respiratory ied law in London, but soon fol - a young man but he made his revival of the musical based on problems. Cacoyannis won mul - lowed his interest in the arts, first film, Kyriakatiko xypnima Zorba.) Cacoyannis was awarded tiple awards and worked with working for the BBC’s Greek ser - (Windfall in Athens), in the the Order of the Golden Phoenix such well-known actors as vice, studying drama, and even - Greek capital in 1954. He fol - (Greece), the Commandeur des Melina Mercouri, Irene Papas, tually getting acting parts in the lowed this up the following year Arts et des Lettres (France), the Katharine Hepburn, Vanessa theater. After moving to Athens, with Stella, a seminal movie for Grand Cross / Order of Makarios Redgrave, and Candice Bergen. Cacoyannis made his debut as a Greek cinema. Cacoyannis wrote 3rd (Cyprus) and the Special But he was best known interna - director with Windfall in Athens it with Iakovos Kambanellis, who Grand Prix of the Americas tionally for the Academy Award- in 1954. Two years later, he won died earlier this year, and it (Montreal). He has been hon - winning Zorba the Greek - the a Golden Globe for best foreign starred the then-undiscovered oured by the Greek Academy 1964 adaptation of Nikos language film for Stella, starring Melina Mercouri. with its highest award for na - Kazantzakis’ novel - joining up Mercouri. In recent years, Cacoyannis di - tional services and with Lifetime with composer Mikis Theodor - “His movies received awards rected a number of theater pro - Achievement Award by the Sa - akis, whose score for the movie at the most important film festi - ductions. His foundation inaugu - lonica, Jerusalem and Cairo Film remains an enduring Greek an - vals in the world,” Culture Min - rated new premises on Pireos Festivals, as well as the American them. ister Pavlos Geroulanos said. “His Street in Tavros, southern Athens, Hellenic Institute in Washington. In the black-and-white movie, work became the vehicle that in 2010. The foundation’s He has been declared an Hon - a scholarly Englishman played by took Greek culture to every cor - premises span four floors and in - orary Citizen of Limassol, Mont - Alan Bates, travels to the Greek ner of the earth, and served as a clude an amphitheater with a ca - pellier and Dallas, and has re - island of Crete to visit a coal mine source of inspiration for Greek pacity of 330 seats, a cinema with ceived Honory Doctorates from he inherited. Alexis Zorbas, and foreign artists.” Cacoyannis 120 seats, a black box hall for a Columbia College (Chicago), played by Anthony Quinn, is his had no children and is survived AP Photo/eurokinissi variety of uses that seats 68, an Athens University, Cyprus Univer - grizzled and larger-than-life cook by his sister Giannoula. Funeral Cyprus-born Michael Cacoyannis, one off the great Hellenic - exhibition hall, two cafe-bars, an sity, and the Aristotelio University and fixer. The movie won two arrangements were not immedi - filmmakers, is seen during an event in Athens, March 9, 2010. outdoor and an indoor restaurant of Salonica.

DEATHS CLASSIFIEDS n COSCORE, MYRA in Fayetteville, N.Y. Delores was church and her family. She was a fin Hospital of Derby, following FOR RENT FUNERAL HOMES SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Re - baptized and raised in the Greek founding member of the Trans - a long illness. He was born at publican reported that Myra Orthodox Church. Dolores’ many figuration of Our Savior Greek the same hospital on Jan. 8, LONG ISLAND CITY ANTONOPOULOS Beautiful second floor OFFICE Coscore, 88, passed away on accomplishments included win - Orthodox Church, board mem - 1924. His parents, Paraskevi and FUNERAL HOME, INC. June 23 at the Baystate Medical ning a scholarship to Juilliard, ber, choir director for 28 years, John Vartelas were Greek immi - SPACE. Has 10 offices, 3 bathrooms, Center. She was born on July 27, singing Greek opera coast-to- Sunday School Superintendent, grants who settled in Ansonia server room, lounge area, reception Konstantinos Antonopoulos - area etc. Spacious, modern, freshly Funeral Director 1922 in Greenfield, Mass., a coast on the Wheeling Steel radio Sunday School teacher, and a and raised a large active family painted, close to all amenities. daughter of the late Peter A. and program and recording an album. charter member of the Greek living on Franklin St. for many Some offices are already furnished 38-08 Ditmars Blvd., Theone (Papulis) Fotopulos. She Even with such high vocal acco - Ladies Philoptochos Society. She years. His father started the Fam - with custom desks and matching Astoria, New York 11105 belonged to the Sts. Constantine lades, she always considered her received the Archangel Michael ily Food Grocery Store on Maple cabinet files. Easy move in. Great (718) 728-8500 and Helen Greek Orthodox greatest accomplishment her Honor Award in 2000. She also Street until it was lost in the for Electrical contractors, Architects, Church in Chicopee. She was the beautiful family. She loved listen - was involved in the Florence Lit - Great Flood of 1955. Thanks to Engineers, Lawyers, Accountants, Not affiliated with any past treasurer and also a member ing to Greek music, cooking deli - tle Theatre, a founding member Jerry’s efforts the site, now etc. Call Demetrios at (646) 732- other funeral home. of the Greek Ladies Philoptohos cious Greek food, and spending of the Quill Club, South Carolina known as Vartelas Park displays 9572 or email: controller@ekirikas. com for a walk through. We are Society. She graduated from time and sharing stories with her Bicentennial Committee, Flo - a historical marker commemo - APOSTOLOPOULOS Greenfield High School, Class of beloved family. Delores was pre - rence Choral Society and the rating the flood and the heroics offering a 1 to 5 year lease for the premises, 2 month security deposit Apostle Family - 1940. Later she worked for the deceased by her husband, Harry Chopin Music Club. Surviving her of valley residents during the required once lease is signed. Premi Gregory, Nicholas, Andrew - former Greenfield Tap and Die Kaplan, who she married on April are her sister, Pauline Palles tragedy. An excellent athlete, ses are available. Asking $7,000 per Company and also as a clerk for 8, 1956; and her sister, Angela. Costas; nephews, John Pete Jerry played basketball for An - month. Funeral Directors of Mass Mutual in Springfield for Surviving family members in - Costas (Marti), Chris Mitchell sonia & Norwoods Athletic Club 467367/2/06-26 RIVERDALE several years before she retired. clude a daughter and son-in-law, Palles (Donna), of Mt. Pleasant; teams as well as the collegiate FUNERAL HOME Inc. She was predeceased by her hus - Alexis and George Hatzis of Part nieces, Maria Costas (Hobart level at Davis & Elkins and the HELP WANTED 5044 Broadway band William Coscore, a former Richey, Fla.; three sons and Robbins), Tina Palles, Vicki C. University of Connecticut, where educator and Superintendent of daughters-in-law, Harry and Car - Underwood (Al) of North Myrtle he graduated in 1951. Prior to LEADING GREEK AMERICAN New York, NY 10034 Chicopee schools, who died in olyn Kaplan of Oneida, N.Y., Mark Beach, and Jo Ann Nance (Clyde, college Jerry served in the United NEWSPAPER SEEKS (212) 942-4000 2002 and to whom she was mar - and Teresa Kaplan of Glenmont, III). The funeral was held at the States Army during World War Full-time AD sales representa - Toll Free 1-888-GAPOSTLE ried for 54 years. They married Greg and Sarah Kaplan of Way - Transfiguration of Our Savior II, from 1943 to 1946, attaining tives for both GREEK and ENG - CONSTANTINIDES on Dec. 21, 1947 February 15, nesboro, Va.; two sisters, Mary Greek Orthodox Church. the rank of Sergeant. While LISH language publications. Ap - FUNERAL PARLOR Co. 2002. She leaves four sons, Lou (Vince) Putrino and Athena briefly stationed in Alabama, he plicants should have some sales Charles W. Coscore and his wife Tsilimidos, both of California; six n SOFRONAS, ANDREW met his future wife Helen and and/or marketing experience. (718) 745-1010 Connie of Wilbraham; Peter W. nieces and nephews, Ricky, SAUGUS, Mass. – The Saugus Ad - were married in 1955. After col - Fluency with computer use and Services in all localities - Coscore of Chicopee, Philip W. Methodie and Naomi Angel, vertiser reported that Andrew lege he embarked on a career in knowledge of Internet a plus. Bi- Low cost shipping to Greece Coscore and his wife Linda of Marie Tsilimidos, and Dino and Sofronas, 72, of Saugus, died insurance, joining The Mutual of lingual command of both lan - Windsor Locks, Conn. and Dana Putrino; 10 grandchildren, July 10 at Massachusetts General Omaha Companies. Jerry held guages preferred. This positions Michael W. Coscore of Chicopee; and six great-grandchildren. Hospital, where he was taken af - various marketing positions in offers base salary, plus com - LITRAS FUNERAL HOME a brother Michael Fotopulos of ter suffering an accident at his Omaha, Bloomington, Indiana, misand/or marketing experi - ARLINGTON Greenfield; four grandchildren, n NICHOLAS, MILDRED E. home. He was the husband of Terre Haute, Indiana and Mar - ence. Fluency with computer use BENSON DOWD, INC Wyatt W. Coscore, Alexandria LOWELL, Mass. – The Lowell Sun Crysoula(Georgakopoulos) blehead, Mass., before returning offers base salary, plus commis - FUNERAL HOME Coscore, Lilah Coscore and reported that Mildred E. “Millie” Sofronas, his wife of 44 years. to the new Haven area in 1970. sions. E-mail resume and cover 83-15 Parsons Blvd., William Coscore; several nieces (Wieczholek) Nicholas, 81, a Born and raised in Kalamata He retired in 1988 as Regional letter to [email protected] or and nephews, grand nieces, longtime Lowell resident, passed Greece, he was the son of the late Vice President of marketing. Dur - fax to : (718) 472-0510 Attn. Jamaica, NY 11432 grand nephews and cousins. The away July 19, 2011, at Lowell Sotirios and Angeliki Sofronas. ing his retirement, Jerry & Helen Publisher or call (718) 784-5255 (718) 858-4434 funeral was held in the Sts. Con - General Hospital surrounded by He came to Lynn at the age of 15 traveled several times to Europe and ask for Veta. • (800) 245-4872 stantine and Helen Greek Ortho - her loving family, following a and had lived in Saugus since with special stops to Greece dox Church in Chicopee. courageous battle with diabetes. 1977. Mr. Sofronas was the where Jerry was able to trace the She was the beloved wife of the owner of several businesses in roots of his ancestry. Jerry was to PlAce your clAssiFieD AD, cAll: (718) 784-5255, n GAGE, MARIA ZICA late Charles G. Nicholas who Lynn and Saugus. He was a mem - very active in local Valley com - ext. 106, e-mAil: classifieds@ thenationalherald.com CORRY, PA. – The Erie Times- passed away in April of 1979. ber of St. George Greek Orthodox munity activities. He served sev - News reported that Maria Zica Millie was born in Manchester, Church, Lynn. In addition to his eral years as the president of the Strobl Gage, 94, passed away on NH, a daughter of the late Stan - wife, he is survived by two sons, Derby Historical Society and REAL ESTATE July 19. Mrs. Gage, the daughter ley Wieczholek and Mabel (Jer - Sotiris Steve Sofronas and his Council President of the Holy of Georgios and Kalliopi Revithi vah) (Wieczholek) Marcouillier, wife Kelly and Konstantinos Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Zica, was born on the island of and was also the step daughter Charlie Sofronas and his wife An - in Ansonia, playing a leading role Patmos, Greece, on Oct. 13, of the late Ernest Marcouillier. gela, all of Wakefield, four grand - in its transition and merger with 1915. She was raised on the is - She attended Manchester schools children Andreas, Nikolas, An - St. Barbara Greek Orthodox land and was one of the very few and was a graduate of Manches - dreas, and Crysoula, two sisters Church in Orange. Of all his pur - girls educated at the School of ter Central High School. Millie Anna Mikedis and her husband suits Jerry most loved spending St. John the Revelator there. Af - worked in the mills in her George, of Saugus, and Georgia time with his family. In addition ter her marriage to Albin Strobl younger years, as a synthetic Sklikas and her husband Panagi - to his wife Helen, he leaves two of Austria, she moved to her hus - yarner. She married Charles and otis, of Kalamata, Greece, his sons John (Helene) Vartelas and band's homeland, where their devoted her career to raising her mother-in-law Evdokia Geor - Allan Vartelas and grandchildren children Kathleen and George three sons and her daughter. She gakopoulos, a brother-in-law Katherine and Geoffrey Vartelas, were born. Mr. Strobl fell in Rus - was later employed by the De - Dimitrios Georga-kopoulos and all of Cromwell, brothers sia during World War II. In 1947, Moulas Sign Shop in Lowell as his wife Dina, and his sisters-in- Theodore (Ted) Vartelas of Maria came to the USA with her their sign maker where she silk- law Sofia Kokkinos and her hus - Woodbridge and James Vartelas two children to marry Wendell screened all the chains banners band Panagiotis, Effie Zorbas, of Ansonia. E. Gage of Corry. Their son, John and various store signage. She Vetta Manikas and her husband PRINTED EDITION OF THE NATIONAL HERALD W. Gage, was born the following also worked at Wang Laborato - Dimitrios, all of Athens, Greece, VIA THE POST-OFFICE: year. Mrs. Gage's entire life was ries in Lowell as an electrical as - four nieces and many nieces and this is a service o1 month $11.00 o3 months $22.00 based on her unwavering trust in sembler up until her retirement. nephews in Greece. The funeral to the community. o6 months $33.00 oone year $66.00 God. Her faith sustained her She was a longtime member of was held at St. George Greek Or - Announcements of deaths VIA HOME DELIVERY (NY, NJ & CT): throughout the years. Maria's the Transfiguration Greek Ortho - thodox, Lynn. may be telephoned to the o1 month for $14.00 o3 months for $33.00 Greek Orthodox upbringing was dox Church in Lowell. Her sur - classified Department of o6 months for $48.00 oone year for $88.00 undeniable, a fact which en - vivors include three sons, Charles n VARTELAS, JEREMIAH the national herald at VIA HOME DELIVERY hanced her understanding and Nicholas Jr., Thaddeus “Ted” DERBY, Conn. – The New Haven (718) 784-5255, (New England, Pennsylvania) appreciation of the mission of her Nicholas and his wife, Martha Register reported that Jeremiah monday through Friday, 1 month for $18.00 3 months for $41.00 beloved church community, the Sullivan, and Timothy Nicholas, “Jerry” Vartelas, 87 of Stratford, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. est o o 6 months for $57.00 one year for $109.00 First United Methodist Church of all of Lowell; one daughter, Va - beloved husband of Helen or e-mailed to: o o Corry. Mrs. Gage is survived by lerie Nicholas and her compan - Stavros Vartelas for 56 years, [email protected] ON LINE SUBSCRIPTION her daughter Kathleen Neubauer ion, Dennis Jewett of Lowell; four passed away on June 21 at Grif - www.thenationalherald.com and her husband Herbert of grandchildren, Kathryn Nicholas, e non subscribers: oone year for $45.95 Lienz, Austria; her son John W. Timothy Nicholas Jr., Jeremy o6 months for $29.95 Gage and his wife Gayle of Corry; Nicholas, and Derek Nicholas; o3 months for $18.95 her daughter-in-law Terrie Gage two great-grandchildren, Deme - subscribers: one year for $34.95 of Corry, as well as her grand - tria Nicholas and Athena o

b 6 months for $23.95 children Marlo Gage with her son Nicholas; two sisters, Shirley o 3 months for $14.95 Kiall of Chino, California, John Berube of Lowell, and Mabel o

N. Gage of Phoenix, Arizona, Chamberlain and her husband, i Martin Neubauer of Vienna, Aus - Skip of Ashby, Mass.; a brother- eet, 2nd floor 3,900 square f nAme: ...... tria and Matthias Neubauer with in-law, Lee Turnbull; and a sis - ADDress: ...... his wife Astrid and son Henrik, ter-in-law, Dot Wieczholek, and r also of Vienna, Austria. many nieces and nephews. city: ...... stAte: ...... ZiP: ...... tel.: ...... cell: ...... n KAPLAN, DELORES n PALLES, APHRODITE e-mAil: ...... GLENMONT, N.Y. – The Albany FLORENCE, S.C. – The Sun News c PLEASE SEND A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION TO: Times Union reported that Do - reported that Aphrodite Chris nAme: ...... lores (Pappas) Kaplan, 86, passed Palles, 89, passed away July 13, ADDress: ......

away June 13 at Albany Medical 2011, at home after an illness. s city: ...... stAte: ...... ZiP: ...... Center, Albany, N.Y. She was born She was surrounded by her fam - Jan. 25, 1925 in Wheeling, W. ily. She was born in Florence on tel.: ...... cell: ...... Va., daughter of the late Jon L. Jan. 25, 1922, a daughter of the e-mAil: ...... Please specify method of payment Pappas and Alexandria Pappas late Chris Mitchell Palles and Rent $4,500/month.

b i enclose a check/money order for $ ...... (Semergo-lou.) Delores resided Constantina Vasilakos. She had 2 blocks away from 2 subway stations in Syracuse, N.Y., for most of her been employed by Agricultural made payable to: The National Herald, Inc., life, until moving to Glenmont in AAA, the Beacon Drive-In, Dr. In - in Astoria, 7 minutes away from Man - 37-10 30th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101 - 2614 2001. Prior to retirement, Delores verson Graham, the Gangplank hattan or please debit my o mastercard o Visa dedicated 31 years of her life as Seafood Restaurant, Francis Mar - o American express u the medical assistant/office man - ion College and with Dr. Joe Location: 37-10 30th St., LIC, NY cArD number: ...... ager for the highly respected Neely and the late Dr. Gary Han - Call (718) 784-5255 and ask for Dimitri exPirAtion DAte: ...... physician’s offices of Dr. Er - son with Psychology Associates. siGnAture: ...... lebacher and the late Dr. Hayman Aphrodite was very faithful to her s THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2011 GREECE CYPRUS 7 Papandreou Praises His Government, Blasts His Opponent Samaras

ATHENS – Prime Minister thing that the opposition accused many, the EU’s biggest lender to ment helps protect Greece from George Papandreou, fresh off ap - us of failing to negotiate, and in Greece – while urging his minis - having to borrow in the open proval for a second bailout for fact more than that,” Papandreou ters to speed up reforms de - market at prohibitive rates and his debt-drowned country, a said in an attack on New Democ - manded by the Troika, including gives the country time to right $157 billion package, said his racy which has repeatedly criti - privatization and selling or leas - itself economically and Papan - Administration’s leadership cized the bailout strategy. The ing of state-run entities and dreou said Europe had been slow sealed the deal with interna - conservative party is leading PA - properties to raise $70 billion. to take decisions but was becom - tional investors and took a shot SOK in the polls. The conserva - The Finance Minister was tasked ing more united. “The decisions at his major rival, Conservative tive opposition, doggedly resist - with a quick reform of the tax we took at the EU Council … are New Democracy leader Antonis ing calls for wider political system as a top priority to fight historic for Europe itself. They Samaras, his former college consensus and pressing for tax tax evasion and boost lagging prove that even with delays and roommate in Massachusetts. Pa - relief to help the economy state revenues. Tax evaders are disagreements, it can behave as pandreou, whose Socialist PA - emerge from a deep recession, costing the country nearly $40 a big economic and political SOK party is trying to weather was quick to dismiss Papan - billion a year and, like the rich, power, protect the credibility of social unrest over deep cuts in dreou’s triumphant return from have largely escaped sacrifices. its member states and foremost workers pay and tax hikes and Brussels, Reuters reported. “Peo - Papandreou, who has long the credibility of the common slashed pension benefits as a ple are tired of Papandreou’s pushed the launch of euro bonds currency,” he said. condition of getting the second ramblings. After leading the to deal with the debt crisis trou - Moody’s cut Greece’s credit bailout – and lower interest rates country to the brink of collapse, bling countries in the Eurozone’s rating by three notches to Ca, and an extension to 15 years on he is lying to save himself,” the periphery, said elements of the just one notch above default, to repaying the first rescue package New Democracy party’s rescue package had brought the reflect the expected loss implied of $155 billion from the Troika spokesman said in a statement. bloc nearer to the idea. by the proposed debt exchange. of the European Union-Interna - AP Photo/Petros GiAnnAkouris Papandreou told his ministers “The decision of our Euro - Standard & Poor’s and Fitch cur - tional Monetary Fund-European Protesting taxi drivers wave a Greek flag and chant slogans it’s time to introduce all the ma - pean partners to lend us at 3.5 rently rate Greece CCC, broadly Central Bank, told a meeting of outside the Greek Parliament in central Athens on Tuesday, jor reforms that have been put percent, an interest rate just in line with Moody’s rating. Both his cabinet: “We have confirmed July 26. Their demands got PM George Papandreou involved. on hold over the previous above the one at which Germany have said Greece will likely be our participation at the core of decades. He said the main goal itself is borrowing, is in essence in temporary default as a result the European Union,” a refer - agreed to the easier lending dreou’s optimism, although he was to create primary surpluses tantamount to introducing a Eu - of the bond swap. A new and ence to the Brussels deal. terms and private investors will had said repeatedly the country in order to stop the “deficit he - ropean bond,” Papandreou told bigger restructuring of Greek Greece was seen by many an - swap Greek bonds for longer ma - would never restructure nor de - morrhage,” the Athens newspa - party lawmakers. The Eurozone debt is likely within the next two alysts as gaining some breathing turities at lower interest rates, fault but did both at the same per Kathimerini reported. deal for Greece includes a bond years, an official from credit rat - space following a decision for a but will take a 21% percent loss, time. “Armed with the tough de - Papandreou also said that the exchange by banks, insurers and ings agency Standard & Poor’s second rescue package. Leaders which ratings agency warned cisions that we made and the cheap rescue loans to Greece are other holders of its debt, to cover said, adding a further down - of the Eurozone, the 17 countries they would declare a selective conviction that we shall see them equivalent to Euro bonds – a funding needs until mid-2014 grade of Greece’s sovereign debt using the euro as a currency, default. That didn’t deter Papan - through, we accomplished every - mechanism opposed by Ger - and avoid default. The agree - rating was “pretty certain.” Frenemies: Greek Rivals, Once Roommates, Hold Nation’s Fate in Balance

Continued from page 1 tional Monetary Fund. liberal arts student at Amherst slashed pensions and public-sec - The showdown between the in the early 1970’s, where he tor pay, and increased taxes. ter the expected default, pro - two men could take place as formed close friendships with a Unions went on strike. Anar - vided the country can achieve early as this fall if Mr. Samaras small group of Greek students, chists hurled Molotov cocktails. even more painful fiscal auster - gets his way and new elections including Mr. Samaras. The Mr. Samaras was now oppo - ity. That, however, depends on are called. A political fight could highly-politicized environment sition leader. He supported political stability in Athens - and thwart the EU and IMF and put that shaped them was charac - spending cuts but demanded tax on the outcome of the contest Greece’s austerity policies in terized by “hippies, the Vietnam cuts instead of increases. between Messrs. Papandreou doubt. For more than a year, Mr. war, revolution, Nixon, Water - Higher tax rates are hammer - and Samaras. If Mr. Papan - Papandreou has been a pillar of gate, books that called for ing the economy, Mr. Samaras dreou’s slim hold on Parliament Europe’s strategy of funding change in every way,” Mr. Sama - says. In addition, he says, high fails, the whole bailout plan Greece while it closes its vast ras said in a Journal interview. rates backfire in Greek culture, could fall apart. deficit with higher taxes and Mr. Samaras, conservative- where tax evasion is deeply in - June’s unorthodox effort by spending cuts. But pain is minded and a staunch anti- grained thanks in part to a sus - Messrs. Papandreou and Sama - spreading deep into Greek soci - Communist, was an outgoing picion of authority that dates ras to heal Greece’s divisions al - ety. Unemployment has reached student who regularly organized back to centuries under Turkish most led to a deal between the 16%, double the pre-crisis level. trips to parties with students rule. He favors a flat-rate tax of two men. In their June 15 Businesses are dying. Angry mid - from women’s colleges, says 15% on business, arguing that phone calls, Mr. Papandreou dle-class citizens are joining the Stephen Manuelidis, a fellow it “would change people’s men - reasoned that a bipartisan pact previously union-led protests in Greek who also roomed with tality, because it would give you could create a firmer footing for the streets of Athens. The mood Mr. Samaras. no honor to evade taxes.” the painful austerity policies of despair is boosting support for Mr. Papandreou, who leaned The simple appeal of Mr. needed to keep the international Mr. Samaras’s promise of a less- left like his father, was a quiet Samaras’s argument started to rescue loans flowing. bitter medicine. student who strummed protest worry Greece’s international Mr. Samaras demanded that The two men are tempera - songs on his guitar, friends from creditors this spring, when the Mr. Papandreou resign. The two mental opposites yet close those days say. One of his fa - AlexAnDer tsiArAs current government’s strategy men nearly agreed, but their friends. An aide to Mr. Samaras vorites was English rocker Alvin They don’t look the same these days, of course, but that’s current hit trouble. Austerity was deep - talks broke down, roiling mar - described witnessing a chance Lee’s anthem to the dreams and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou at bottom left and ening the recession. The deficit kets all over again by demon - encounter between the two men confusion of the era: “I’d love New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras, rear right, during their wasn’t shrinking enough. The strating the potential for politi - outside a movie theater. They to change the world/But I don’t college days in 1973 at Amherst in 1973, the Vietnam War era. EU urged deeper budget cuts cal instability at the epicenter didn’t greet each other, but sim - know what to do...” Years later, and Mr. Papandreou - reliant on of the euro crisis. This account ply began talking as if already as Greek opposition leader, Mr. costly favors - including a vast Greece’s archenemy, Turkey, first EU-IMF aid - agreed. Street of the relationship between the in mid-conversation, the aide re - Papandreou had the song as his number of government jobs - to by sending a Greek team to res - protests escalated. His own two men is based on interviews calls. Mr. Papandreou, 59 years iPhone ringtone, says a close ac - win votes. A fiscal time bomb cue people buried in a devastat - party, PASOK, verged on revolt. with more than a dozen of their old, and Mr. Samaras, 60, have quaintance. began taking shape. In the early ing 1999 earthquake there. He On the afternoon of June 15, closest collaborators and long - known each other since child - Messrs. Samaras and Papan - 1990’s, Mr. Samaras built his na - wooed Turkish opinion with ide - according to Mr. Samaras and time friends. Mr. Samaras was hood at Athens College, a pri - dreou already had their minds tionalist reputation when, as a alistic speeches, and notably several close advisers to both interviewed by The Wall Street vate school known for training set on Greek politics. “We will youthful foreign minister, he once danced a Zorba-the-Greek- leaders, Mr. Papandreou phoned Journal; Mr. Papandreou de - Greece’s elite. Mr. Samaras rule Greece together,” they pro - took an uncompromising posi - style dance with Turkey’s For - his friend and offered him a na - clined. comes from a family with a pa - claimed one day in their tion with a neighbor: The newly eign Minister. tional unity government. The Mild-mannered Mr. Papan - triotic local history. At the heart Amherst dorms, Mr. Manuelidis independent, ex-Yugoslav Re - NO LOYAL OPPOSITION premier, alone in his elegant dreou, whose outlook was influ - of family lore: his great-grand - remembers. The boast was “be - public of Macedonia. Mr. Sama - Still, Messrs. Papandreou and neoclassical office, hadn’t con - enced by the American counter - mother Penelope Delta, a fa - tween serious and a joke,” given ras’s fiery denunciations of the Samaras remained close. As PA - sulted his cabinet. Mr. Samaras culture of his youth, once told mous writer who committed sui - that Greece was ruled by a mil - new country’s name - ”Macedo - SOK leader in 2004, Mr. Papan - asked his friend to step down as his brother Nick that if he could cide in 1941 on the day the itary junta, Mr. Manuelidis says. nia” has deep historical associa - dreou tried to bring free-market Prime Minister. “I don’t want to take time off from Greek poli - invading Germans raised the When democracy returned to tions within Greece itself - fueled thinkers into his party and, hurt your feelings, but you can - tics, he’d like to broker peace in Nazi swastika over the Acropolis. Greece, the two men entered vast street demonstrations in through an intermediary, en - not be Prime Minister of such a an international crisis spot - or THE OLD COLLEGE TRY parliament. Mr. Papandreou Greece in support of his stance. quired whether Mr. Samaras government,” Mr. Samaras said, go hitchhiking with a guitar on Mr. Papandreou, born in lived in the shadow of his ebul - “His method was confronta - would like to join. Mr. Samaras stating that the premier had lost his back. Instead, he finds him - Minnesota to an American lient father, Andreas, who dom - tional. Europe remembers this,” said he could never be a Social - the trust of the markets and the self telling Greeks they must ac - mother, came from an illustrious inated Greek politics until he says George Kyrtsos, a longtime ist. Mr. Papandreou campaigned nation. “If you really think I am cept toil, sweat and tears in the political dynasty. His grandfa - died in 1996. Andreas greatly acquaintance and Athenian in 2009’s elections as a modern - the problem, I could go,” said form of tax increases and spend - ther, also called George Papan - expanded Greece’s welfare state, newspaper publisher. Fired as izer and was swept to power. Mr. Papandreou. If a successor ing cuts to avoid national bank - dreou, was a moderate states - bringing public services to the foreign minister, he led a rebel - The incumbent New Democracy could carry on his agenda of re - ruptcy. That message has helped man. His father, Andreas, a many rural poor for the first lion that brought down his own government had gotten mired forming Greece, he said: “I’m spawn violent street protests. prominent economist, became time. Greece became more government. A decade in the po - in corruption scandals. He in - not stuck to my seat.” Mr. Samaras, an extroverted the firebrand left-wing tribune equal, but more indebted. The litical wilderness followed. “I herited a fiasco. The budget Mr. Samaras asked for time conservative with a history of of Greece’s poor. In 1967, Greek party founded by Andreas, the spent 11 years staring at the deficit for 2009 turned out to to reflect, then called Mr. Pa - nationalist rhetoric, insists the army officers launched a coup Panhellenic Socialist Movement, walls of my house,” he says. be 15.5% of Gross Domestic pandreou back. The pair agreed international bailout plan is ru - to preempt an expected election or PASOK, dominated govern - Mr. Papandreou became For - Product, far worse than the pre - they would appoint a nonparti - ining Greece. He says radical tax victory by the Papandreous’ ment, while the conservative eign Minister himself and set a vious government had dis - san Prime Minister, who would cuts will spur growth. His pro - party. The family went into exile New Democracy was its main ri - different tone with the neigh - closed. In spring 2010, Greece cut the budget deficit but also posal is “unrealistic,” say the Eu - in Sweden and North America. val. Both parties built their po - bors. Taking office in 1999, he sought an international rescue. negotiate easier bailout terms ropean Union and the Interna - Mr. Papandreou became a litical bases by handing out sought to bury the hatchet with Mr. Papandreou’s government with Europe and the IMF. After that, they agreed, their coalition would give way to new elec - tions. Mr. Papandreou asked for In Washington, Venizelos Says Greece Is Coming Back time to consult his people. PA - SOK however, was in an uproar. A television station reported Continued from page 1 a positive note, Venizelos rallied billion to back new Greek gov - news of the conversation, citing the support of the Greek Dias - ernment bonds issued as part of a high-level source inside Mr. a panel discussion after the Fi - pora and praised the people of the private-sector involvement Samaras’s party. Financial mar - nance Minister’s speech. He Greece. “Together we will suc - in the program, Venizelos said. kets gyrated. Greece wondered talked with Lagarde and other ceed in rebuilding our country, “Our goal is not to nationalize whether it had a government at IMF officials about the raft of restoring its fiscal independence the bank system, but for its cap - all. The Prime M inister’s horri - reforms Greece has been or - and achieving the competitive ital to be strong,” Venizelos said. fied advisers pressed him to dered implement by its position Greece deserves in the Fitch Ratings said private- scrap his scheme. medium-term austerity plan, international market,” he said, sector involvement in the new Mr. Papandreou was upset which includes sweeping reduc - adding, “This is the challenge Greek package “constitutes an that his friend, or somebody tions in public sector spending, for the Greek people, a proud event of ‘Restricted Default’” be - close to him, had leaked the streamlining the civil service people with many assets and cause banks are being required news of their phone call, appar - and an ambitious liberalization skills.” to contribute $72.3 billion after ently to score partisan points by program. “The important point But Venizelos also said agreeing to a series of bond ex - making the premier look weak. is the positive and constructive Greece needs a “less expensive changes and buybacks. That evening, he phoned Mr. position of the staff, and first of state” and its privatization pro - “An exchange that offers new Samaras to call the whole thing all, of Madame Lagarde,” gram is “very ambitious,” refer - securities with terms that are off. “This leak should not have Venizelos said following his ring to Troika orders the country worse than the original contrac - happened,” Mr. Papandreou meeting. sell or lease its properties and tual terms of the existing debt said, describing the adverse re - After his meeting with the state-run entities to raise more and where the sovereign is sub - action within his party. “Are you IMF’s new Managing Director, than $70 billion in cash. Before ject to financial distress consti - telling me that a decision of Venizelos said: “I have had a heading to Washington, he said tutes a default event,” Fitch such national importance is very interesting and lengthy Europe’s new bailout agreement said. Greece’s insurance funds nipped in the bud because of meeting with Mrs Lagarde and for the nation, which includes will also participate in the pack - gossip?” Mr. Samaras said. Mr. her staff. We discussed all issues. 20 billion euros ($28.7 billion) age, exchanging holdings of Samaras is under huge pressure The IMF’s attitude toward us is to recapitalize banks, will safe - government bonds for new ones from European leaders to sup - very positive, but everything de - U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, (L) struggling to guard lenders’ solvency. with 30-year maturities guaran - port the austerity program and pends on us and our ability to prevent a default over a budget impasse in Washington, met “The Greek banking system teed by the euro-area rescue forget about tax cuts. He says implement the program and with Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos to talk about is perhaps now the most guar - fund, the European Financial he’s right, and Europe is wrong, register specific results. If we do Greece's staggering economy and plans to rebound. anteed system in Europe, if not Stability Facility, Venizelos said. and complains that Mr. Papan - that, then the IMF and the in - wider,” Venizelos said at a press These bonds would have the dreou shouldn’t have ignored ternational community will con - meeting was full of optimism played the rating, saying, “We conference in Athens. “There is same face value as the original him earlier in the crisis. “When tinue to support Greece until it and support (for Greece.)” have this problem with the rat - a very big umbrella of protec - holdings, he said. the problem wasn’t so big, he regains its fiscal sovereignty and KUDOS FOR THE DIASPORA ing agencies, but for the first tions.” The $229 billion second “Pension funds don’t come didn’t consult us,” he says. “Now independence, until it conquers Rating agency Moody’s time in two years, we have a bail-out, which includes includ - under the same accounting rules he calls me up.” the position that reflects its his - downgraded Greece’s debt rat - positive signal from the part of ing contributions from bond - as the banking system, and don’t tory and the abilities of the ing to just one notch above de - the international financial com - holders, also includes $157 bil - face a write down in the value Alkman Granitsas contributed Greek nation. In this respect, the fault, though Venizelos down - munity.” Ending his speech on lion from the Troika and $60.7 of their holdings,” he said. to this article. 8 EDITORIALS LETTERS THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2011

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The National Herald A weekly publication of the NATIONAL HERALD, INC. Too Much Separation of instruction in the rich history management of the School? Fi - School Board and Principal (ΕΘΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΗΡΥΞ), Church and State? and principles of the Greek Or - nally, is the Archdiocese and should not be allowed to exploit reporting the news and addressing the issues of paramount interest thodox Church, and its rele - Archbishop Dimitrios aware and the name and tradition of the to the Greek American community of the United States of America. To the Editor: vance to their own lives. We have they approved this radical Cathedral school and run an The article written by Mr. welcome students of all faiths change or is the Principal and free for all International School Publisher-Editor Antonis H. Diamataris Theodore Kalmoukos "Three Hi - in this track. We have also de - School Board flying solo? emphasizing the undefined val - Assistant to Publisher, Advertising Veta H. Diamataris Papadopoulos erarchs School Shuts Down" veloped a second track in which In America we are blessed ues of "diversity and globaliza - Executive Editor Andy Dabilis printed on July 21, 2011 should students of all faiths are pro - with the right to practice, teach tion" in Private Greek Orthodox On Line Assistant Editor Christos Tripoulas come as no surprise. The attri - vided with the moral and ethical and pass on our faith and lan - Church Property under Greek Production Manager Chrysoula Karametros tion of Greek Orthodox families foundation that we feel is part guage to our children in private Orthodox Archdiocese leader - Webmaster Alexandros Tsoukias in parochial schools is a result of our educational mission. The schools. As Greeks have we lost ship. Unless Archdiocesan of the disconnect between what approach of this second track is our pride in our faith to the schools focus on quality educa - The National Herald (USPS 016864) is published weekly by Greeks in America expect from necessarily less focused on the point that we are not able to de - tion in math, science and litera - The National Herald Inc. at 37-10 30th Street, LIC, NY 11101-2614 a private Greek school educa - history and principles of a par - fend our heritage even in a ture, the Greek language and Tel: (718)784-5255, Fax: (718)472-0510, tion and what the Archdiocese ticular religion. The meaning school headed by the Archdio - the Greek Orthodox religion, e-mail: [email protected] is delivering. The current and history of religion are stud - cese and Archbishop Dimitrios? there will be continued attrition, changes to be implemented at ied with a focus on their ethical How can we as parents allow a lack of support from families Democritou 1 and Academias Sts, Athens, 10671, Greece the Cathedral School of Man - and spiritual components. Our supermarket mentality school and the community and closure Tel: 011.30.210.3614.598, Fax: 011.30.210.3643.776, e-mail: hattan demonstrate this schism. student body is remarkably di - mission which caters to all and of more schools. [email protected] As of next year under the lead - verse and we seek to learn to - openly disrespects the doctrine Stella Lymberis, MD ership of Principal Mrs. Sonia gether and from each other and hierarchy of our faith? The New York, N.Y. Subscriptions by mail : 1 year $66.00, 6 months $33.00, 3 months $22.00, 1 month $11.00 Home delivery NY, NJ, CT: 1 year $88.00, 6 months $48.00, Celestin and the School Board about our different cultural tra - 3 months $33.00, 1 month $14.00 there will be separation of reli - ditions because we feel that this Home delivery New England States : gion classes for Greek Orthodox is an essential component of a 1 year $109.00, 6 months $57.00, 3 months $41.00, 1 month $18.00 vs. non-Greek Orthodox stu - forward-looking education and On line subscription : Subscribers to the print edition: 1 year $34.95, 6 months $23.95, 3 months $14.95; Non subscribers : 1 year $45.95, 6 months $29.95, 3 months $18.95 dents. The following is taken essential for effective citizenship verbatim from Cathedral School in a diverse country and a glob - fotograffiti Periodical postage paid at L.I.C., N.Y. and additional mailing offices. website regarding the Religion alized world." Postmaster send change of address to: and Ethics Curriculum and is My questions are the follow - publicly available for review. ing: What is globalized religion THE NATIONAL HERALD, 37-10 30th Street, LIC, NY 11101-2614 See: and ethics encompassing diver - http://www.edline.net/pages/C sity and who is defining this athedral_School/Programs/Cur - amorphous curriculum for the riculum/Lower_School_Overvie Non-Greek Orthodox students? w Is there a precedent for global - The decisions of August "Religion and Ethics is a two- ized religion instruction in the track program where all the private parochial school setting August is a great month. It’s the month many of us get our va - children of the school, irrespec - and is dichotomization done in cation, a wonderful time even if it lasts just a few days. The plan is tive of their religious back - any other Archdiocesan, Jewish to be able to relax, to enjoy our families, to read a book long ground explore the meaning of or Catholic parochial School? sitting on the night table, and not think about business at all. As religion and ethics. The two Who will safeguard that global - with most plans, it doesn’t turn out as we imagined. The respite tracks are described below, and ized religion properly represents usually lasts only for a few days. Then as we are sitting on the our students and their families the ethics and spirituality of the beach we start thinking or talking about the things we left behind: have the choice of opting for families of other faiths or non- the unfinished work, whatever that might be. We start planning one or the other of the ap - faiths? Will the children also be again. proaches that comprise the pro - given an option to attend or not In many ways, August is really the end of the year, a year we gram. As is the case for the attend Feast Days? What is the AP Photo/Geert winJGAert were so lucky to have navigated through in good health, and the Greek Program described above, implication of this classroom di - The Greek Panther Strikes Again beginning of a new one in the sense that rejuvenated, with fresh The Cathedral School’s Religion vide for our children in the de - ideas, with enthusiasm, we return home with renewed determina - and Ethics Program evolved velopment of character and French President Nicolas Sarkozy told reporters in Brussels tion, ready t ο take on the world again. from the school’s particular his - pride in their identity and faith? after Greece got another bailout: “If Pap-ann-dray-ou asks What worries us is that while we go through this process in our tory and identity. On the one What is the position of the for anozza neek-el, I will perzonally strangle him! He’s individual lives, when it comes to the business of the community, hand, students and their fami - Church Board who oversees and more annoying than that idiot Inspector Clouseau!” not many people are doing this kind of thinking and planning. lies have the option of receiving controls the financial and legal And God knows how badly we need people to do that and come back in September with ideas ready for implementation. Let’s hope somebody is actually doing that this summer. Let’s hope so. The COMMENTARY can has been kicked as far down the road as is possible. Ouzo instead of champagne Should Have Gone Hungary to Stop Greek Bankrupcty

We don’t wish to rain on the parade of the Greeks in Greece but By Louis Woodhill not one worker in Greece’s pecting, and 11.5% less than it a year of austerity did for Greece it’s necessary to put things into perspective given the panegyrics Forbes bloated public sector has yet lost was in 2009. was to raise the market interest taking place in Athens these days. Panegyrics, which if they are al - his job to “austerity,” the employ - Social order in Greece will rate on its 10-year bonds from lowed to lead to an easing of their efforts might spoil this new What do you do when your ment numbers imply that the break down before GDP shrinks 10.5% to 16.8%. In contrast, the chance - perhaps the last one - for the country to shape up. First economy is in a power dive and Greek private sector is melting to 88.5% of its 2009 level. Ordi - interest rate on Hungary’s 10- the good news: Germany decided that it was in her interest to the ground is rushing up to meet faster than the Wicked Witch of nary people won’t accept self-in - year bonds fell from 7.7% to safeguard the integrity of the euro. In order to do that she had to you? If you’re Greece, you turn the West in a hot tub. Because flicted economic wounds of this 7.4% over the same time period. spend a bit of extra money. A slippery road, in most situations. In on your austerity afterburners so the Greek private sector has to scale. Before the Greeks find Some economists say that the any event, the agreement reached in Brussels a week and a half that you can blast out a bigger both support the huge Greek themselves going hungry, they key to getting the Greek econ - ago was not about saving Greece. It was about saving Spain and impact crater when you crash. public sector and to service the might try “going Hungary.” In omy growing again would be to Italy, the third and fourth largest economies of the Eurozone. But As this was written, the Greek Greek government’s debt, this is mid-2010, both Greece and Hun - replace the euro with a “new it came down to giving Greece another chance to put her house in Parliament was doing another probably not a good thing. gary were in financial trouble drachma,” which could then be order. It’s called a breathing room, a bit more time. The rest is up austerity rain dance, seeking to Here is a quote from another and were being pressured to devalued in order to improve to the Greeks themselves. appease the bailout gods and ob - news story published on June 8: adopt “austerity” measures in re - Greek “competitiveness.” In this However, up to this point it’s still not clear what is really required tain a few billion more euros to The May 2010 agreement be - turn for bailout loans. While light, it is interesting to note that of Greece, other than implementing the plan the Troika has put to - shovel into the unionized money tween the IMF/EC/ECB and the Greece chose to drink the over the past year, Hungary’s cur - gether, and the one that the Greek Parliament has recently passed. incinerator that is the Greek pub - Greek government projected a IMF/EU tax-hike hemlock, Hun - rency, the forint, has actually What has leaked out is that the representatives of the Netherlands lic sector. No matter. The Greek GDP drop of 4% in 2010, fol - gary declined the pact proffered risen by almost 6% against the and Finland wanted guarantees for the loans: land, enterprises, economy is contracting so fast lowed by a contraction of 2.6% by the IMF devil. euro. Accordingly, Hungary’s and buildings - was the Parthenon among them? “We are a sover - that EU/IMF bailouts have a in 2011. In reality, GDP dropped economic progress was not pro - eign country, we are not a business,” replied a member of the shorter half-life than Iodine 125. by 4.5% (in 2010), leading to a No one seems to have duced by devaluing its currency. Greek delegation according to the New York Times. Prime Minister In modern economies, the effects revised forecast for 2011 at -3%. Of course, in mid-2010, Hungary George Papandreou said that if he were to accept what they were of government policies show up So far, in Q1 2011, GDP has noticed that the tax was in an economic/financial po - asking him to the government would be toppled. first and fastest in employment. dropped by 4.8% year-on-year, increases... have pitched sition where it could refuse In short, the main problem with the second bailout of Greece is Greece reports its monthly em - which makes the revised 3% con - bailout loans without defaulting that the savings on her debt is too small, just about 26 billion dollars ployment numbers two months traction for 2011 seem opti - the Greek economy into on its debt. For Greece to truly out of a total debt of close to a half a trillion dollars. In addition, of slower than the U.S., but the pat - mistic. Seem optimistic? a violent contraction recover, it must do now whatever the 157 billion dollars that was decided to be given to Greece, only tern is clear. The Greek economic Greeks rioted in the streets as it takes to get its economy grow - 34 billion will reach Greece as a loan. The rest will go to the holders situation is deteriorating so fast Prime Minister Papandreou strug - Greece raised taxes in the ing now. However, whatever else of the debt, basically the banks, in one way or the other. that reporters are writing silly gled to push through yet another name of “austerity”, while Hun - it does, Greece must stick with Had the Eurozone been more concerned about saving Greece things like the following, which “austerity plan”, this one calling gary embarked on a radical tax the euro. Without a credible cur - by making her debt load sustainable and placing her on a path to was published on June 8: March for an additional 3.8 billion euros reform program that included a rency, an urbanized nation can growth path, they would have brought down the debt to about jobless rate hits 16.2%, new in spending cuts. However, at the 16% flat income tax and a 10% quickly descend into chaos -and 50% of the outstanding total. That would have made all the differ - record. The European Union ex - rate that the Greek economy ap - corporate income tax for small even starvation. Broadly speak - ence. As things stand now, the more details about the agreement pects it to average out at 14.6% pears to be contracting, this and medium-sized companies. ing, Greece needs to do the same come out, the less impressed are the markets. Nonetheless one this year and hit 14.8% in 2012. would offset falling revenues for Let’s see which approach pro - things that the U.S. needs to do. thing is certain: the country needs to act decisively and fast. This Does no one think it odd that less than a year. Then what? No duced better results. In 2010, It must enforce the rule of law, is no time to open the champagne bottle. Ouzo will do – but not the E.U. expects Greek unem - one seems to have noticed that Hungary’s GDP rose by 1.2%, expand economic freedom, too much. ployment to average 14.6% for the tax increases included in pre - while Greece’s GDP fell by 4.5%. maintain a stable currency, re - all of 2011 when it registered vious austerity programs have While Greece’s economy is ex - duce and simplify taxes, cut gov - 15.1% in January, 15.9% in Feb - pitched the Greek economy into pected (by the EU) to contract ernment spending, open up Meanwhile... ruary, and 16.2% in March? As a violent contraction. The plan by 3.0% in 2011, Hungary’s is trade, and reform burdensome of March 2011, total employ - being debated now includes even forecasted (by the IMF) to grow regulations. This path would not ment in Greece was down by more tax hikes. Despite all of this, by 2.8%. From January 2011 to be (politically) easy for the U.S., The Minister of Finance of Greece, Evaggelos Venizelos, flew to 9.3% from its October 2008 the EU’s financial projections as - March 2011, Greece’s unemploy - and it may or may not even be Washington DC. last Sunday for meetings with Secretary of the peak, and was still falling. In con - sume that Greek GDP will shrink ment rate increased from 15.1% possible for Greece. We shall see. Treasury Tim Geithner, the leadership of the IMF and other officials. trast, in the case of the U.S. re - by only 3% in 2011, and then to 16.2%, while joblessness in (http://blogs.forbes.com) He must have sensed a lack of trust in the government regarding cession, total employment fell by will grow by 1.1% in 2012. If, in - Hungary fell from 12.1% to the implementation of the bailout plan because he made it the 5.9% from its November 2007 stead, the Greek economy were 11.6%. Louis Woodhill is a mechanical central theme in a speech he delivered at the prestigious Peter G. peak to its December 2009 to continue to contract at a 4.8% The whole point of austerity engineer, a software entrepre - Peterson Institute for Internation Economics on Monday. Mean - trough, and then rebounded rate, in 2012 real GDP would be is to improve a country’s ability neur and on the Leadership while, back in Athens, the demonstrations of the taxi owners had 1.5% by March 2011. Given that 7.6% smaller than the EU is ex - to pay its debts. However, all that Council of the Club for Growth. reached an all-time high pitch. But that should be expected. What should not expected was the fury of the attacks on the Minister of Transportation, Yiannis Raggousis. And not from the opposition, ANTILOGOS but by politicians of his own party. You might wonder what his crime was. It was his decision to implement the law, that is, to open up the taxi industry to compe - tition. That law was passed by the Parliament four months earlier, Leave the Church Alone But Press MP’s before Raggousis became Minister of Transportation. But his im - plementing the law created such an uproar that it turned a chunk of the government’s members of Parliament against him. In the The National Herald’s web - without permission from each can have a freer reign in stealing for safety fears as they get at - end, the Prime Minister backed him by saying that the law would site readers checked in with sup - congregation. As a result, the from the Greek people and mak - tacked. Actually all politicians be implemented. Otherwise the credibility of Greece would have port for the Greek Church, government has borrowed every ing big deposits in Switzerland. in Greece need to feel the wrath taken another big blow. which is under pressure in drachma and euro since 1952 - Dionysios Markopoulos and anger of the people for Greece to come up with some and not paid any of it back. This what they've done to such a more revenues to help during amount adds up to untold bil - • Well put Dionysi. The Gov - beautifull country. They really Celebrating Democracy the economic crisis, and saved lions of Euros over the almost ernment should keep their need to go after that creep - their heat for Greek Members of 60 years this has been going on. hands off the Church! The Or - wrote on Tzochazopoulos! Parliament who came under at - Meanwhile, almost every gov - thodox church is the only thing - Niko Seretis Ever since 1974, the Greek elite gathers at the Presidential Palace tack. ernment, military, aviation, mar - functioning properly in Greece. to celebrate the fall of the junta of the Colonels. Last week they did itime building or installation is The church preserved the Greek • They'll never resign, Niko. it again. What were they thinking? Have they lost all touch with re - DEBT CRISIS TAXES COZY on church land granted to the language and culture during the They got a great thing going and ality not to see that it would be an affront to the people to see them GREEK CHURCH-STATE TIES state free of rental income to the Turkish occupation when it they know it. 10,000 in the elegant rooms of the palace, in their fancy clothes, when so • Intersting article. Much of church. The National Bank of could've been extinct. The EUROS/month for DOING many citizens are suffering? Did they not sense that they were what is stated here is mistated. Greece itself was started with priests blessed the soldiers and NOTHING! I mean, what does setting themselves even further away from the people? Since 1952, all revuenue from money given by the Church. the guns during the revolution a Greek Legislator DO when Of course, we would still celebrate the momentous occasion of every congregation has been de - Most of the social programs in and inspired people to fight for they have no taxpayer money to the return of Democracy to Greece, but in a different way this year: postited in accounts in the Na - the country are established and Greece. The priests of Greece spend??? This is the best paid We would have held a symposium in Athens, a soul searching into tional Bank of Greece from paid for by the church. So on are very patriotic people, al - job in Europe when you con - what went wrong in the years since the restoration, and we would which the Government "pays" top of all this, they want the though some just do it because sider they're doing absolutely invite speakers from abroad, including Greek Americans. The only the congregation's priest's salary. church to pay taxes!? How much its a steady income and i'm sure nothing at the current time. And way to truly celebrate Democracy is with action, every day, in the So the salaries od the priests are money can they take from the theirs corruption as well. they get EXTRA PAY for attend - context of a system of laws that is respected, where all citizens are paid for by each congregation, church and still allow it to func - - Niko Seretis ing committee meetings, can equal before the law, where there is political integrity so the ruled not the government. In addition, tion properly? They've already hire family members as staff, can trust the rulers and the country can move forward. That is the the 1952 law permits the Greek taken almost everything. I guess TARGET OF ANGER travel allowance. Pretty good only way to celebrate Democracy. Gathering at the former Palace of state to borrow any sum from if they cripple the church eco - • The Socialists deserve it gig if you can get it. the King in the middle of this crisis does not come close to it. these accounts automatically nomically, then the politicians and I hope they start resigning - Philip Vorgias THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2011 VIEWPOINTS 9 LETTER FROM ATHENS Can Greeks Become Germans? They’ll Have to Work

The Ugly Sport of Greek By Thomas L. Friedman so many more people than ever. as groups compete for who con - dustrial strategy or competitive New York Times ...We’ve gone from connected to trols the tap. That is exactly what advantages. We created a state interconnected to ethically inter - happened in Greece when it got with big inefficiencies, corrup - Soccer: Nil-Nil ATHENS - Katerina Sokou, 37, a dependent.” access to huge Euro-loans and tion and a very large bureau - Greek financial journalist at As it becomes harder to shield subsidies. The natural entrepre - cracy. We were the last Soviet Kathimerini, a daily newspaper, yourself from the other guy’s ir - neurship of Greeks was chan - country in Europe.” That is why, Europeans call grants, soccer fans told me this story: A group of responsible behavior, added Sei - neled in the wrong direction - in he added, that Greeks, when soccer – which they can burn down a sta - German members of the Bavar - dman, both he and you had bet - a competition for government they move to the U.S., “unleash term football – dium and nothing ian Parliament came to Athens ter behave more responsibly - or funds and contracts. To be sure, their skills and entrepreneurship” “The beautiful happens to anyone. shortly after the economic crisis you both will suffer the conse - it wasn’t all squandered. Greece in ways that enable them to game,” supposedly Greek soccer is even erupted here and met with some quences, whether you did any - had a real modernization spurt thrive in commerce. But here in because of the more boring than Greek politicians, academics, thing wrong or not. This is dou - in the 1990’s. But after 2002, it Greece, the system encourages graceful flow of NASCAR because the journalists and lawyers at a tav - bly true when two different put its feet up, thinking it had just the opposite. Investors here long kicks and run - players don’t care a erna to evaluate the Greek econ - countries share the same cur - arrived, and too much “Euro-oil” tell you that the red tape in - ning men artfully whit about anything omy. Sokou said her impression rency but not the same govern - from the European Union went volved in starting a new business using their feet in - except being paid. was that the Germans were try - ment. That’s why this story is not back to financing a corrupt, pat - is overwhelming. It’s crazy; stead of their Dozens of people, in - ing to figure out whether they just about interest rates. It’s rimonial system whereby politi - Greece is the only country in the hands in a game of cluding referees, should be lending money to about values. Germans are now cians dispensed government jobs world where Greeks don’t be - near perpetual-mo - by ANDY owners and players Greece for a bailout. It was like telling Greeks: “We’ll loan you and projects to localities in re - have like Greeks. Their welfare tion, kind of like ice DABILIS have been charged one nation interviewing another more money, provided that you turn for votes. This reinforced a state, financed by Euro-oil, has hockey on grass. with wrongdoing, for a loan. “They were not here behave like Germans in how you huge welfare state, where young bred it out of them. With the de - They never talk Special to but that has caused as tourists; we were giving data save, how many hours a week people dreamed of a cushy gov - cline of Beirut and Dubai, Athens about the ugly The National Herald little more than a on how many hours we work,” you work, how long a vacation ernment job and everyone from should have become the service side: a ruling body yawn among fans recalled Sokou. “It really felt like you take, and how consistently cabdrivers to truckers to phar - center of the Eastern Mediter - even more corrupt than the who don’t have enough grey mat - we had to persuade them about you pay your taxes.” Alas, macists to lawyers was allowed ranean. Instead, Cyprus and Is - Greek government, match-fixing ter to understand what’s wrong our values.” Sokou’s observation though, these two countries are to erect barriers to entry that ar - tanbul seized that role. Greece so prevalent it makes past college with their game, and wouldn’t reminded me of a point made to so culturally different. They re - tificially inflated prices. must not waste this crisis. While basketball fixing scandals in the care if they did. me by Dov Seidman, the author mind you of a couple about European Union membership it has instituted some reforms in U.S. look like someone tried to Olympiakos owner and Stu - of the book “How” and the whom you ask after their di - “was a big opportunity for de - the last year, Prime Minister rig a Little League game, the por League President Vangelis C.E.O. of LRN, which helps com - vorce: “How did the two of them velopment, and we wasted it,” George Papandreou said to me, Greek Super League run by own - Marinakis was accused of collud - panies build ethical business cul - ever think they could be mar - explained Dimitris Bourantas, a “What is most frustrating is the ers who’ve been arrested and ing with a criminal gang and tak - tures. The globalization of mar - ried?” Professor of Management at resistance in the system. How do charged with using the game as ing part in bribery to fix the out - kets and people has intensified Germany is the epitome of a Athens University. “We also did you produce a change in cul - a personal ATM, and hooliganism come of matches. That’s the to a new degree in the last five country that made itself rich by not take advantage of the mar - ture?” It will take a cultural rev - just this side of the English insane President of your league so you years, with the emergence of so - making stuff. Greece, alas, after kets of the (formerly) Socialist olution. And that can happen version: hopped-up, unem - can bet, no pun intended, noth - cial networking, Skype, deriva - it joined the European Union in countries around Greece. And only if Greece’s two major parties ployed, uneducated loser young ing’s going to happen to anyone tives, fast wireless connectivity, 1981, actually became just an - we also did not take advantage come together, hold hands, and men who couldn’t spell soccer, else who’s been fixing matches, cheap smartphones and cloud other Middle East petro-state - of the growth of the global econ - collectively force through a rad - never mind play it, trying to kill although it’s hard to tell when computing. “When the world is only instead of an oil well, it had omy. We lost them all because ical change in the governing cul - each other because their team soccer players take dives on the bound together this tightly,” ar - Brussels, which steadily pumped the political system was focused ture from the top down. Without lost a fixed match. Greek soccer field because when they’re faking gued Seidman, “everyone’s val - out subsidies, aid and euros with on growing public administra - that, Greece will never be able is as phony as professional injuries they go down faster than ues and behavior matter more low interest rates to Athens. Nat - tion – not on (fostering) entre - to pay back its loans. wrestling, but without the enter - Paris Hilton or the French army than ever, because they impact ural resources create corruption, preneurship, competition or in - tainment because this game is as faced with a single angry Ger - exciting as watching grass grow. man. We’re not talking about a It makes you wonder why game or two being fixed, but ac - Greeks, who pride themselves on cording to police, at least 41. being clever, accept this sham, That’s just in Greece, not includ - The Rich Spread the Big Lie That You Are to Blame until you realize that, apart from ing the rest of Europe where soc - a handful of knowledgeable peo - cer’s ruling body, UEFA, which is ple who love sports for what it is as incompetent as soccer’s ruling By Steve Frangos Reuters, that raving journal of that, “The great American mort - like old news, that’s the point. world group FIFA is corrupt, likes the elitist Left, ran an article: “45 gage bubble of the 2000’s (is) Nothing is new in this story of to make sure the big money Blaming the victim has a long percent of the World’s Wealth perhaps the most complex Ponzi Wall Street dumping toxic assets. “There is the will on both teams win. UEFA President tradition in our contemporary Destroyed: Blackstone CEO,” scheme in human history - an I am also citing news stories be - sides to put a stop to the Michel Platini said he’s going to Euro-American civilization. With written by Megan Davies and epic mountain range of corpo - cause when the civil disobedi - corruption and violence send teams of investigators to complete control over the mass Walden Siew who interviewed rate fraud in which Wall Street ence occurred in Wisconsin over Athens to help Greece reform its media, those in the highest strata Blackstone CEO Stephen megabanks conspired first to col - Governor Scott Walker’s attack in Greek football” corruption-soaked sport and stop of the American economic elite Schwarzman who reported: “Be - lect huge numbers of sub-prime on organized labor, every Greek- fan violence, which is as unlikely can have any message they tween 40 and 45 percent of the mortgages, then to unload them American I spoke with was and not who plays it, shout them - as the Faroe Islands winning the choose heard over and over and world’s wealth has been de - on unsuspecting third parties like adamant that, “The unions are selves hoarse and throw every - World Cup, unless they paid off over. Tim Shufelt’s recent article, stroyed in little less than a year pensions, trade unions and in - ruining the country!” I asked thing short of hand grenades on enough people. Denying Reality in Greece, A and a half. This is absolutely un - surance companies (and, ulti - how they knew this and they the field when their club falls be - To make it seem like they Country That Can’t Be Fixed, precedented in our lifetimes.” mately, you and me, as taxpay - never could cite a single media hind. care, Platini met with Prime Min - which originally appeared in the Toxic bank assets were to blame. ers) in the guise of AAA-rated source. Johnston, after reading Greece’s Super League is an ister George Papandreou, who’s Financial Post (and later here in Not individuals mind you, but investments.” the labor agreements between odd name for a collection of near- got a few other things on his the pages of the National Her - those bad assets. Then, we had BANKERS DON’T GO TO JAIL the state of Wisconsin and its amateur teams in a league where mind, like the survival of Greece, ald), is a fine example of the tri - a bailout of banks and other fa - In the April 14, 2011, New employees reported that, “Noth - the two teams with the biggest and Culture Minister Pavlos Ger - umph of power and privilege vored companies considered too York Times feature story, In Fi - ing has been more troubling than revenue base, Panathiniakos and oulanos, who’s in charge of over the Truth. The kernel pro - big to fail. The implication was nancial Crisis, No Prosecutions the deeply flawed coverage of Olympiakos - a kind of sporting sports, allegedly. Geroulanos said paganda point of Mr. Shufelt’s if these companies were allowed of Top Figures, by Gretchen Mor - the Wisconsin state employees’ Hatfield and McCoy’s rivalry - outside investigators would pro - rant is that Greece, and so all to fail the United States would genson and Louise Story ask fight over collective bargaining.” take turns winning the champi - vide advice on dealing with Greeks, are financially irrespon - face utter destruction! (like Taibbi before them) “Why, In Johnson’s Feb. 24 2011 essay, onship because no one else has match-fixing, doping, violence sible. This essentially “Crazy Well as we know now, those in the aftermath of a financial Really Bad Reporting in Wiscon - enough money to buy players and refereeing. That’s because no Greek” argument has appeared Too Big Banks (which were left mess that generated hundreds of sin: Who “Contributes” to Public who can kick and think at the one in Greece is capable of it, but so frequently in the past I need in the hands of the bankers who billions in losses, have no high- Workers Pensions? he demon - same time. They are as shameless at least it was good for a laugh not trace its roots for you here, ruined them in the first place) profile participants in the disas - strates that, “Out of every dollar as Greek politicians and, after when he said, “There is the will only only offer some comment are doing well but everyone’s ter been prosecuted?” How does that funds Wisconsin’s pension several were arrested in an in - on both sides to put a stop to the on this specific manifestation of house or other property in the all of this relate to those “irre - and health insurance plans for vestigation into match-fixing and corruption and violence in Greek hate speech. Shufelt has ac - United States is now worth so sponsible Greeks?” Remember state workers, 100 cents comes other wrongdoing, were back football.” If there really were a cepted his role as a cultural man - much less they are under water. those toxic assets? Well, the Too from the state workers.” So, Gov - running the league the next day, will, somebody would be in jail ager for the 1% wealthiest This new phrase means that Big to Fail American (and really ernor Walker’s ongoing demand making as their only concession instead of being allowed to go Money Lords by battering away property has been devalued so international) bankers have been that the state workers pay their a reluctant decision to suspend back and run a team and the at the “must restructure debt” people have lost equity and are passing those around from coun - fair share was just another oft play: during the off season when league. It’s so bad that the au - tune. Here in carefully framed faced with paying so much more try to country. Remember repeated big lie. What is critical there aren’t any games, rather thorities have deemed Greek soc - language the victims of financial on their mortgages they may Shufelt’s snarling remark that to note is the common theme in like Major League Baseball saying cer a major crime organization. wrongdoing, in this instance the never break even let alone make Greek citizen’s must, “bear re - both Walker and Shufelt that the it isn’t going to play from Decem - That’s just another reason Greeks, must, according to a profit. By profit let me just give sponsibility for their own respon - poorest must bear the responsi - ber-February as penance for al - why Americans can’t warm to Shufelt, “bear responsibility for one example. Back in the 1980’s, sible finances and debt accumu - bility for the financial crimes of lowing steroids to render useless this game, along with how many their own responsible finances empty nesters (who makes up all lation?” What about the the wealthiest. Also remember the game’s records. That’s a small results end in a tie, many of them and debt accumulation, fed, in these phrases?) a married couple American (and other) bankers what Shufelt said about unions matter to the owners as long as 0-0, or what the Europeans call part, by an oversized public ser - whose children have grown up who caused this international cri - and pensions, that they con - they, like Greek soccer kings, Nil-Nil. Americans don’t like ties. vice, exorbitant wage scale, early and moved away, could sell their sis in the first place? Why were tributed to the overall debt-woes make money off the sport fans They like to win, in politics, busi - retirement and an overly gener - home whose mortgage had been they bailed out in the first place due to “an oversized public ser - idolize. For that, you are laughed ness, war, and especially sports, ous entitlement regime.” What paid off for some time. The mid - and not receive jail sentences? vice, exorbitant wage scale, early at and considered suckers by the where they think a tie is “like we can learn from this commis - dle-class pattern for many was Given the trillions spent in the retirement and an overly gener - owners, and ridiculed by players kissing your sister,” legal in many sar’s conscious concealment of to sell their larger home and with bail out an entirely new system ous entitlement regime.” who’d change uniforms during European countries and Al - the facts is how truths once un - those funds buy a smaller place of banks (with new bankers) You have never voted for for - the game and join the other side abama. A goal in soccer is usually derstood by everyone fade into and still have money left over to could have been put into place eign policy. You have never voted if they’d get paid more. followed by the player who individual memories. How put aside for their retirement. to restore the old one. on how the United States gov - This year’s championship keeked the ball into the net doing Shufelt is re-shaping history into Two articles by that nattering According to Internal Rev - ernment spends your tax dollars. game, a rarity in that it didn’t in - handstands, back flips, running an instrument of power to be nabob, right-wing investigative enue Service data, “The incomes You have never voted on the volve Panathinaikos or around like someone put cayenne used against the Greek people is reporter Matt Taibbi, addresses of the top 400 American house - board of a Fortune 500 company. Olympiakos, but AEK and the pepper in his jock, tearing off his very instructive. this entangled complex of finan - holds soared to a new record So how, exactly are we collec - Washington Senators of Greek shirt, falling to the ground, rais - Let’s begin with a short re - cially related issues in Wall high in dollars and as a share of tively responsible for all this gov - soccer, Atromitos, ended prema - ing his arms into the sky and cry - view along with a citation of Street’s Naked Swindle on the all income in 2007, while the in - ernment mismanagement and turely with AEK fans storming ing in joy. Jim Brown, the best sources. Who does not recall that counterfeit stock fandango and come tax rates they paid fell to a big business malfeasance? I do the field and attacking the other running back of all time in Amer - in or around 2008 and 2009 that then Invasion of the Home record low.” David Cay Johnston, not see either the Greek people team’s players, fans and families. ican football, scored 106 touch - American businessmen on Wall Snatchers with the subtitle: How on his www.tax.com website or the people of Wisconsin as AEK was leading at the time but, downs and laid the ball down Street conspired to flood the the Courts are Helping Bankers notes not only that but also that, crazed irresponsible rioters. They instead of defaulting, was softly in the end zone because, market with counterfeit stocks? Screw Over Homeowners and “Since 1992, the bottom 90 per - are citizens telling their servant awarded the victory, providing he said, “I like to act like I’ve been That was the occasion for the Get Away with Fraud (Rolling cent of Americans have seen government in no uncertain more of an incentive for fans of there before.” Now, that’s a beau - housing market crash and the Stone Oct. 15, 2009 and Nov. 25, their incomes rise by 13 percent terms just how far it can go be - other teams to riot whenever tiful game. demise of Bear Stearns, Lehman 2010). Taibbi does not accept the in 2009 dollars, compared with fore they are ejected from office. they want because no one goes Brothers and then a whole bunch position Wall Street businessmen an increase of 399 percent for to jail in Greece except immi - [email protected] of banks. Remember? In 2009, are the Good Guys and asserts the top 400.” If all this sounds [email protected] Greece is on the Crisis Escalator of Disaster Capitalism, and It’s Only Going Down

By Nikolaos A. Stavrou opted to place Greece on an ir - pieces of development. More - along with it, the values system critical steps to defend whatever • A non-political Commis - reversible crisis escalator which over, as in times past hordes of upon which it was based. The is left of national sovereignty. sion with expanded judicial au - The core point to be made is leading to the transformation multinational Bavarians will be three institutions see the coun - • A Commission of specialists thority and multinational com - here is a sad one: Greece’s prob - of governmental functions and flooding the country to assist try as a vast piece of real estate, consisting of non-partisan mem - position must be created to lems will be of long duration as the demolition of national sov - Balkan brutes in how manage available to the lowest bidder bers must be created to prepare investigate who, among Greeks planned by non-Greeks a long ereignty. If carried to their pre- critical units of their economy. and the Greeks as reliable con - for an orderly default in case and foreigners, are responsible time ago. The future of the conceived end, the Troika-im - In the meantime, the mom-and- sumers with a credit card. the restoration of currency sov - for the predicament of the coun - country is being held hostage by posed measures will certainly pop shops will be reduced to Second, the drama of the ereignty becomes unavoidable. try. The Greek people never American and European fi - reduce the Greek government boutiques in super shopping June 25 weekend is sure to be Besides Greek mismanagement, gave a license to anybody to nanciers who are sitting on sev - to the status of tax collector, centers and their owners will repeated several times by “eco - with expert advice, the fact is treat the national treasure as a eral trillion dollars stolen wealth guarantor of the outflow of cap - pay rent to foreign conglomer - nomic disciplinarians.” It will that Greece was chosen as a piggy bank for nepotism or hire plotting for profitable pleasant ital, real estate broker and, ulti - ates. Ermou and Stadium not end unless the pain is deeply wedge to dismantle the Euro Goldman Sachs to advise them places to invest them. That goal mately, provider of security for Streets, with their boarded-up felt by every Greek, and the likes and pave the way for currency how to bluff their way into the is ruthlessly pursued by a paral - the soon to appear buyers of shops, will be treated as relics of George Soros and Goldman speculators to return to the Euro zone prematurely. lel state that has rendered the Greek islands, sandy beaches, of an “under developed, non- Sachs, pronounce the economy good old days of speculating • Multi-national commis - actual state into its praetorian ports, airports, highways, utili - competitive economy.” has bottomed out. That unenvi - with impunity. The error the fi - sions must also be set up to in - guard. At the dawn of disaster ties, and water systems. That picture may be called able status will be reached when nanciers made was to assume vestigate - hopefully with insti - capitalism the only errors for In the aftermath of the on - extreme by some, but it’s realis - the country looks like Russia of the Greek economy was too tutional legitimacy - the inner which the Greek leaders are cul - going unstudied privatization, tic. Greece faces existential risks the 1990’s. While then Russian small to spread beyond the bor - workings of the three rating pable are naiveté and manager - Greeks will enjoy bottled water greater than those in World War Prime Minister Boris Yeltsin was ders. More than the Greek econ - firms. As a preparation for its ial malfeasance, sugarcoated in from Zagori and Koropi at dou - II. Yet nothing has to be in - in a vodka-induced stupor, omy will default and let us see work, this commission must see corruption. During the weekend ble the price of milk. They will evitable; Greece still retains un - Western financial institutions whether the wizards of Wall the Oscar-winning documentary of June 25 the Greek govern - also travel on highways and rail - used leverage. Before risking an transferred 85% of the country’s Street like those apples. As for (about the 2008 financial col - ment succeeded in squeezing ways at a cost set by foreign fi - opinion as to what that leverage Gross Domestic Product (GDP) the Greeks, the worst thing to lapse) Inside Job. through the parliament a series nancial corporations. They might be, two assumptions must to seven oligarchs and no one happen will be a restoration of of Draconian, foreign-dictated, should also get used to looking be stated: it is assumed the was supposed to ask: “How did dignity, eventual economic self Dr. Nikolaos A. Stavrou is Pro - economic policies and worse im - at walled-off beach or island Troika will not abandon its goal they carry out the heights?” sufficiency, and once again, to fessor of International Affairs, plementation measures. In so communities, protected by pri - of completely dismantling the With such prospects on the hori - serve as an example for other Emeritus, at Howard Universi - doing the PASOK government vate guards that will be show - Greek economic system and, zon, Greece ought to undertake potential victims. ty. 10 THE BACK PAGE THE NATIONAL HERALD, JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2011

BIBLIA: A BOOK REVIEW COLUMN The Lost Battle of Crete in WWII Started from the Skies

By Alexandros K. Kyrou goslavia then turned south into problems. The chaotic nature of renowned for swift flight,) was mountain troops. The Airborne Special to The National Herald Greece near Florina, and pushed the BEF’s retreat and evacuation planned by General Karl von Stu - Division’s fourth regiment would towards Kozani, a maneuver from the Greek mainland had re - dent, architect of the Luftwaffe’s be dropped in the area of Chania CALLUM MACDONALD. The which effectively outflanked the sulted in the loss of significant airborne forces. Since the British and Suda in order to secure Lost Battle: Crete 1941. London: BEF concentrated along the Ali - amounts of equipment and had enjoyed naval supremacy, Oper - those two towns’ harbors in Pan Macmillan, 2002. Pp. 368. akmon Line of defenses west of produced disruptions of unit co - ation Merkur called for an air - preparation for the arrival of $49.50 (hardcover). Thessaloniki, while it simultane - hesion. borne invasion. The Supreme 7,000 seaborne troops. The focal ously isolated the Greek army in As a result, more than 10,000 Commander of the Luftwaffe, point of the attack would be (First of two parts) May and Albania. As the BEF fled from the of the Allied troops were without Herman Goering, saw in Stu - Maleme, west of Chania, as - June 2011 marked the 70th an - advancing Germans at breakneck weapons. Although several units dent’s operational plan an op - signed to the division’s vaunted niversary of the Battle of Crete, speed for ports and evacuation were intact and fit for combat, portunity to rehabilitate the rep - 1st Assault Regiment. Although one of the most extraordinary in southern Greece, Greek forces much of the overall force was utation of the German air force Student expected that his initial operations of the Second World and rearguard Commonwealth made up of remnants from frac - after its failure to defeat the RAF strike force would be outnum - War. The now legendary air - detachments offered stiff, albeit tured formations, disorganized in the Battle of Britain, and en - bered by the defenders, he was borne assault against Crete com - hopeless, resistance in the face and disheartened, hurriedly thusiastically presented the pro - confident that the combination pleted the German campaign to of overwhelming German mili - thrown together into ad hoc posal to Hitler on April 21. Once of the element of surprise, the conquer Greece and Yugoslavia tary might. Impressed by the units. Most units lacked basic Hitler approved Merkur on April high quality of his troops, and in the spring of 1941, an inva - bravery and tenaciousness of the supplies, heavy support 25, General Student, who would the Luftwaffe’s total air superi - sion Hitler had not originally an - Greeks, Hitler ordered his Balkan weapons, and adequate ammu - remain the driving force of the ority would produce victory. ticipated but was forced to front commander, Field Marshal nition. Freyberg’s force lacked operation, quickly assembled his ATTACK FROM THE SKY launch because of Mussolini’s Wilhelm List, to release from transport vehicles and was invasion force in mainland Starting at 5:30 on the morn - failure to defeat the Greeks in captivity all Greek soldiers taken excellent natural harbors ex - acutely handicapped by short - Greece. In all, 22,000 troops ing of Tuesday, May 20, a violent, the fall of 1940. When the Ital - prisoner as soon as an armistice panded and modernized, air and ages of armor and artillery - the made-up the assault force. The massive attack by German ians invaded Greece from posi - should be signed. Neither Greek naval units operating from a Allied force had only six heavy brunt of the attack would be car - bombers degraded the Allies’ al - tions in Albania at the close of bravery nor British arms could, well-defended Crete could dom - tanks, very limited artillery, and ried out by the Luftwaffe’s ready paltry air defenses and October 1940, world opinion however, stop the German ad - inate the air over, and the sea merely 68 anti-aircraft guns, 10,000-man 7th Airborne Divi - struck troop concentrations was justified in expecting that vance. Athens was occupied by lanes throughout, the Eastern which were clearly insufficient sion, consisting of four regiments around the island’s airfields. At Greece would be quickly van - German troops on April 27. Mediterranean. Thus Hitler re - to defend the 160-mile length of (one assault and three parachute 8 a.m., the first wave of German quished and occupied. The mod - airborne troops began to descend estly armed, antiquated Greek onto their targets. The German army was greatly outnumbered. losses in the first few hours of Conversely, the modern and the attack were appalling. At well-equipped Italian military en - Maleme, the 1st Assault Regi - joyed comparatively limitless re - ment parachuted and glided into serves of manpower and ma - a sector defended by the Fifth teriel. Yet, the Greeks overcame New Zealand Infantry Brigade, these staggering disadvantages the First Greek Provisional Regi - by effective concentration of ment, and the 300 cadets of the force, tactical deftness, and ex - Greek Evelpidon Officers Acad - traordinary will. In short, with emy. The New Zealand and stubborn determination the Greek troops laid waste the Ger - Greeks outmaneuvered and out - mans whose casualties were so fought the Italians. Indeed, the heavy they were unable to make Greek army stopped the Italian any progress towards Maleme. advance, counterattacked, and The assault regiment lost half its drove the invaders back deep men and achieved nothing. The into Albania. To Mussolini’s dis - three parachute regiments di - may, and the world’s surprise, rected against Chania-Suda, within a few weeks, Rome’s Rethymno, and Herakleion also Greek venture had turned into a suffered tremendous casualties humiliating fiasco and the first Above: Captured German prisoners under British guard on and failed to secure their objec - Axis military defeat in Europe. Crete. The Germans suffered big losses early in their invasion tives. No landing strips had been In response to the Italian dis - by paratroopers. Top Right: German mountain troops getting captured, Chania-Suda, aster, Hitler ordered the German ready for transfer to Crete. Right: Alexander Löhr and Wolfram Rethymno, and Herakleion re - General Staff to prepare for an von Richthofen (1942) below: British Lieutenant General Frey - mained in Allied hands, and the invasion of Greece. Although berg gazes over the parapet, waiting for the enemy to arrive. airborne troops in the Germans’ Hitler did not want to go to war four drop zones remained iso - against Greece, he saw no means lated and were unable to estab - of avoiding such action. Larger lish contact with each other. By strategic imperatives demanded mid-day, the key German attack that Greece be neutralized. Hitler at Maleme had stalled and the concluded that the success of his entire operation seemed to be on impending invasion of the Soviet the verge of collapse. However, Union would be jeopardized if the New Zealand commanders the Axis Powers’ southern flank at Maleme failed to recognize the in the Balkans was not secure. extent of their troops’ success, He was especially determined to while General Freyberg at his deny the British possession of headquarters in Chania lacked a bases in Greece, from which they clear picture of the situation could menace the Ploesti oilfields which would have enabled him in Romania, an invaluable re - to react effectively as overall source which was essential to the Crete from east to west. Above regiments.) The air assets as - commander. Because of poor as - Germans’ war effort. Greece’s all, the RAF had virtually no signed to Operation Merkur con - sessments of the German forces’ dictator, Ioannis Metaxas, had presence on Crete. On May 1, sisted of 600 troop transport strengths and dispositions, and been careful to coordinate the RAF had 35 operational air - planes, 80 gliders, 280 medium because of communication dis - Greece’s defense with Britain Meanwhile, the evacuation of solved to deny the British control craft on the island, half of which and heavy bombers, 150 Stuka ruptions caused by the Luft - while adroitly resisting pressure the BEF from the Greek main - of Crete. were obsolete biplanes. Through dive-bombers, and 200 fighter waffe’s unrelenting bombing and from London to accept a deploy - land had begun on April 24 and On April 30, the British-born the first half of May, the RAF’s planes. strafing, Freyberg was unable to ment of British troops and grant continued for six days. Although New Zealand army general and force had been reduced to seven Student’s plan was straight - prevent several of his subordi - the Royal Air Force (RAF) basing enormous amounts of heavy legendary hero of the First World planes, all of which were with - forward and daring. Three of the nates from making a series of concessions in northern Greece, weapons and vehicles had to be War, Bernard Freyberg, was ap - drawn to Egypt on May 19, leav - 7th Airborne Division’s four reg - tactical blunders that turned actions which Metaxas under - abandoned during the British pointed commander of all Allied ing the Allied ground forces with iments would be dropped against near victory for the Allied forces stood would openly provoke withdrawal, the operation suc - forces on Crete. Freyberg’s force no air support whatsoever to face the three respective towns on the into disaster. Berlin. However, following the ceeded in evacuating more than comprised roughly 15,000 the impending German assault. north coast of Crete, from west Everywhere on the island, death of Metaxas in January 50,000 troops, most of which British, 10,000 Greek, 8,000 The German attack on Crete, to east, Maleme, Rethymno, and Cretan civilians – men, women, 1941, Greece’s new Prime Min - were transported to Crete. On New Zealand, and 7,000 Aus - codenamed Operation Merkur Heraklion, where airstrips were children, priests, monks, and ister, Alexandros Koryzis, proved April 25, Hitler ordered the in - tralian troops. Despite its not in - (German for Mercury, the Latin located. Once captured, these even nuns, armed and otherwise to be less cautious than his pre - vasion of Crete. considerable size, Freyberg’s name for the Greek messenger airfields would be used for land - – joined the battle with whatever decessor in negotiating with the PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE force was plagued by serious and trickster deity Hermes, ing heavy equipment and 5,000 weapons were at hand. In some British. For his part, British Prime In The Lost Battle: Crete cases, ancient matchlock rifles Minister Winston Churchill con - 1941, the late British military which had last been used against cluded it was necessary to make and diplomatic historian, Callum the Turks were dug up from their some demonstration of support MacDonald, presents one of the hiding places and pressed into for the only country outside the most thorough, well-researched, action. In other cases, civilians British Commonwealth which and perceptive accounts of the went into action armed only with was resisting the Axis, and so he battle for Crete. First published what they could gather from ordered the dispatch of 60,000 in 1993, MacDonald’s book en - their kitchens or barns, and sev - troops to Greece. Most of the joys wide scholarly and popular eral German parachutists were combined British and Common - acceptance as the definitive knifed or clubbed to death in the wealth forces were deployed in study of its subject. Although this olive groves that dotted the is - north-central Greece, as a strate - work is not entirely flawless, its land. In one recorded case, an gic hinge linking the bulk of the limited shortcomings are miti - elderly Cretan clubbed a para - Greek army, which was tied gated by the author’s sweeping chutist to death with his walking down in the northwest fighting narrative, as well as his brilliant stick before the German could the Italians in Albania, and the analysis of the implications of the disentangle himself from his Greek forces deployed along the battle for subsequent Allied and parachute lines. In another, a “Metaxas Line” of fortifications Axis military doctrines and for priest and his son broke into the in the northeast against a possi - the overall importance of Crete village museum and took two ri - ble attack from Axis Bulgaria. Al - in the history of the Second fles from the era of the Balkan though the British Expeditionary World War. In his extensive back - Wars. While the priest shot a Force (BEF) was motorized, well ground to the Battle of Crete, paratrooper with one, his son re- equipped, and backed with con - MacDonald makes it clear that loaded the other. The Cretans siderable armor, artillery, and air even before the outbreak of the soon supplemented their power assets, it was inadequate war, British and German military makeshift weapons with cap - in size to resist the impending planners had recognized the tured German small arms taken German attack. strategic value of Crete. With the from the dead bodies of killed THE DOGS OF WAR onset of the Desert War in Egypt paratroops and glider troops. The Germans launched their and Libya the importance of invasion of Greece, along with a Crete was magnified. Crete’s Dr. Kyrou is Associate Professor massive attack against Yu - strategic potential was enor - of History at Salem State Univer - goslavia, on April 6, 1941. Ger - mous, especially for the British. sity in Salem, Massa chu setts, man armored formations, from If the island’s three airfields were What the Battle of Crete looked like on the kind of map used by planners in those days. It shows where he teaches on the positions in Bulgaria, rapidly ad - transformed into full-fledged air the size and disbursement of forces on the island deemed critical by both sides during the early Balkans, Byzantium, and the Ot - vanced across southern Yu - bases and the port facilities of its days of the conflict, the 2-to-1 superiority of German forces, who faced fierce resistance. toman Empire.

• The Battle of Crete was unprecedented in three re - • The Allies lost 3,500 soldiers: 1,751 dead, with an spects: it was not only the first battle where the Fallschir - Facts About the Battle of Crete equal number wounded, as well as 12,254 Commonwealth mjäger (parachute rangers) were used on a massive scale, and 5,255 Greek captured. There were also 1,828 dead and but also the first mainly airborne invasion in military history; 183 wounded among the Royal Navy. After the war, the Al - the first time the Allies made significant use of intelligence from troops had less than thirty rounds of ammunition, and could not lied graves from the four burial grounds that had been established the deciphered German Enigma code; and the first time invading be resupplied by the British, who had no stocks in the correct cal - by the German forces were moved to Suda Bay War Cemetery. German troops encountered mass resistance from a civilian pop - ibers. This affected their placement in the battle; those with in - ulation. Because of the heavy casualties suffered by the para - sufficient ammunition were posted to the island's eastern sector, • A large number of civilians were killed in the crossfire or troopers, Adolf Hitler forbade further large scale airborne opera - where the Germans were not expected in force. The Greeks made died fighting as partisans. Many Cretans were shot by the Germans tions. However, the Allies were impressed by the potential of up for the lack of equipment with intensity of spirit and one his - in reprisals, both during the battle and in the occupation that fol - paratroopers and started to build their own airborne divisions. torian reportedly described their fight as one of “…extreme lowed. The Germans claimed widespread mutilation of corpses courage and tenacity.” by Cretan partisans, but it was suggested that his was down to • Greek troops were armed with the Mannlicher-Schönauer the breakdown of dead bodies in the very high temperatures as 6.5 mm mountain carbine or ex-Austrian 8 mm Steyr-Mannlicher • The Luftwaffe also lost heavily in the battle; 220 aircraft well as carrion birds. One Cretan source puts the number of Cre - M1895 rifles, the latter part of post–World War I reparations. were destroyed outright and another 64 were written off due to tans killed by German action during the war at 6,593 men, 1,113 About one thousand Greeks carried the antique Gras rifle. The damage, for a total of 284 aircraft lost, with several hundred women and 869 children. German records put the number of garrison had been stripped of its best crew-served weapons, which more damaged to varying degrees. Some 311 Luftwaffe aircrew Cretans executed by firing squad as 3,474, and at least a further were sent to the mainland. There were 12 obsolescent Saint Eti - were listed as killed or missing, and 127 more were wounded. 1,000 civilians were killed in massacres late in 1944. enne light machine guns and 40 other light machine guns of var - These losses were later to impact negatively German attempts to ious manufacture at the Greek troops' disposal. Many of the Greek defend Stalingrad. (Source: Wikipedia)