Grateful to Aurora for special event

On behalf of the American Philhellenes Society, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Mayor Tom Weisner, his staff and the people of the City of Aurora for their assistance and support at our March 19 function at Piper's Banquets. Special thanks to Chuck Nelson and Alex Alexandrou for answering our many questions and providing a sounding board as we planned this event. Additionally, we want to thank the board and parishioners of St. Athanasius Church in Aurora for their support and encouragement. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Angelyn Balodimas-Bartolomei of North Park University, spoke on "American Philhellenes and Their Contribution to the Greek War of Independence." Also present at the event were Ambassador Anastassios Petrovas of the Greek Consulate in Chicago, Brigadier General Ilias Leontaris, Defense Attache-Embassy of Greece, and Mr. Ioannis Tzoumerkas, Director-Rector's Office-University of the Peloponnese. The American Philhellenes Society was established in 2004 to research the Americans who, under the leadership of President James Monroe and the Monroe Doctrine, supported and/or fought for the independence of Greece during the years 1810-1840 and to recognize and make known their contributions to the cause of freedom.

Peter Nikolopoulos

president, American Philhellenes Society

Skokie