KPHTH. A Tribute to the Pioneer Greeks. of the West. PAA 2009 National Convention Schedule

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1 official publication of the pancretan association of america KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008 A Tribute to the Pioneer Greeks 1 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008 of the West PAA 2009 National Convention Schedule

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3 KPHTH (CRETE) USPS Published monthy except the combined issues of July/August and December/January for $20 per year by the: Pancretan Association of America (PAA) nd Street, East Elmhurst, NY NIKOS KATSANEVAKIS Editor in Chief - Business Manager Tel: / Fax: KPHTH@11211.COM KPHTH (CRETE) 917 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, NY GEORGE ZORBAS COM Publishing Advisor-Reporter KONSTANTINA TSEKENIS Art Director COM Periodical Postage Paid at Flushing, NY and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send Address Change to: KPHTH c/o PAA 8530 Sharon Dr. White Lake, MI YEAR 79th - NO 789 JULY-AUGUSTE 2008 Send your letters, photos, advertisement, news, etc at: KPHTH MAGAZINE: PMB#387, Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn, NY OFFICERs OF PAA NATIONAL PRESIDENT: EMMANUEL E. velivasakis, P.E. 220 DELHI ROAD, SCARSDALE, NY Tel. (917) EVelivasakis@TheTTGroup.com FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: john S. sargetis, Esq. Tel. (916) j.sargetis@comcast.net SECOND VICE PRESIDENT: JOHN G. MANOS Tel. (630) jmanos@worldnet.att.net THIRD VICE PRESIDENT: LEFTERIS DRAMITINOS Tel. (714) edramitino@aol.com GENERAL SECRETARY: ERASMIA NOVOTNY 8530 Sharon Drive, White Lake, MI Tel: (248) Fax: Erasmia@aol.com TREASURER: Tom lantzourakis Tel: (909) toml@pancretan.org WOMEN S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: carol travayiakis Tel. (617) ctravayiakis@yahoo.com GENERAL SUPERVISOR: Dr. james saklas Tel. (202) jsaklas@verizon.net LEGAL ADVISOR: JOHN A. KOKOLAKIS, Esq. Tel. (718) john@kokolakis.com AUDITOR GENERAL: ANTONIOS DOGIAKIS Tel. (781) ergotelis@aol.com PYA PRESIDENT: MARIA KIAGIAS Tel. (630) ctngem00@sbcglobal.net YOUTH SUPERVISOR EAST COAST: GREG MANOUSELIS Tel. (718) gmanouselis@aol.com YOUTH SUPERVISOR WEST COAST: GEORGE LIODAKIS Tel. (801) theosone@aol.com DISTRICT GOVERNORS District 1: EMMANUEL SIFAKIS Tel. (401) emmanuel_sifakis@alumni.brown.edu District 2: VASILIS MARANGOUDAKIS Tel. (516) vmarangoudakis@aol.com District 3: JAMES DENNEY, Esq. Tel. (330) aroni@outdrs.net District 4: NICK VERIKAKIS Tel. (419) nverikakis@buckeye-express.com District 5: GEORGE TSOUTSOUNAKIS Tel. (801) gtsoutsounakis@aol.com District 6: STAMATIS ZOUMBERAKIS Tel. (562) stamatisz@aol.com District 7: JOHN DATSERIS Tel. (704) krete44@aol.com PAA FOUNDATION: THEODORE MANOUSAKIS (703) Theodore.Manousakis@breadandchocolate.net Culture & Education Chair: takis psarakis Tel. (908) ppsaraki@telcordia.com INVESTMENTS CHAIR: Dr. MANUEL G. RUSSON Tel. (914) mrusson@aol.com SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR: REMA MANOUSAKIS Tel. (703) rtmanousakis@comcast.net IT CHAIR: george kokonas Tel. (718) georgekokonas@gmail.com PANCRETAN ENDOWNMENT FUND CHAIR: MARY VASILAKIS Tel. (412) Pithari@aol.com PHILANTHROPIC FUND CHAIR: ROXANNE KOSTON Tel. (650) roxannekoston@hotmail.com STRATEGIC PLANNING: Dr. MARIA HNARAKIS Tel. (215) mh439@drexel.edu EXTERNAL PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR: KOSTANDIS LAMBRAKIS th Street Astoria, NY Tel. (718) PAA Convention Coordinator: kostas travayiakis Tel. (617) ktravayiakis@yahoo.com For more information please visit our site at: contents περιεχόμενα [President s Message] Message from the PAA President Manolis Velivasakis [Letters] Letters from our members [National Convention 2009] National Convention Youth Raffle Guidelines [National Convention 2009] Cruise ship schedule [Special Report] Congratulations to Andrew & Steven Katsohirakis [Special Report] A promised land of oil and honey [Poetry] [Mandinades] [Chapter News] News from our Chapters Register NOW for the 41 ST NATIONAL CONVENTION CRETE 2009 Do not let this unforgetable opportunity pass by! 08 41st national convention dedicated to our new generation 14 memorial day 2008 a tribute to the pioneer greeks of the west 25 wooden mary: folk Tales from crete 3 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

4 [president s message] Crete s Mystery - a Kaleidoscope Α Tribute to Our Cretan Pioneers To be perfectly honest, until a few months ago, I really did not know much detail of the actual history of our Cretan pioneers of the West! At least not until I was asked by our Utah chapter to be the keynote speaker at the Memorial Service the Utah Hellenes celebrate in May to honor those early adventurers. Then I was forced out of necessity to read up on the subject matter, and I was astounded by what I read! Amazed about the bravery, courage, adventures, dedication, persistence and successes of those souls, who left their native place, only on the hope of a better life! And a better life they did not find in this new land! Instead they encountered a myriad of obstacles, discrimination and outright hostility by the locals, and yet, by their sheer determination and persistence, and despite that the odds were stacked up against them, at the end they made considerable headway, they formed communities, they made families, they made a new Crete in the land of Utah, Colorado, and any town USA! It is that determination, persistence, and ultimate success that we, and our brethren in Utah celebrate when they stop to remember those early pioneers. For all those early Greek pioneers, whom we should consider our own heroes! Those who perished in the countless mine and railroad accidents, collapses and explosions, All those harassed and killed during the many labor strikes, All those who perished defending their dignity and our freedom, All those who dedicated their entire lives for laying down the path and foundations for our own progress and prosperity, let us pay tribute to their blessed memory. The greatest tribute we can offer to those who have died is to proudly wave today the banner of freedom! The greatest tribute we can offer to all those who toiled in the railroad and the mines, is to proudly wave today the banner of our progress and prosperity! May we keep them always fresh in our hearts and minds! We owe them our gratitude for transferring to us the biggest gift of all, to seek and appreciate the Mystery of Crete!. Please read more on the subject of the Cretan Pioneers in the feature article in this issue of KPHTH. Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place One of Aesop s tales goes that once upon a time there was a older mother living in the countryside outside of Athens, who had two grown sons. One of the sons was a farmer and the other was a pottery maker! Although the two sons were particularly religious, they would routinely however ask their mother to pray for them at the Temple of Athena. The farmer son would ask that his mother pray to the goddess for rain, to soak his fields and make his crops grow! The pottery-maker son on the other hand would ask his mother to pray to Athena for sunny days so that he was able to dry his freshly-made pottery and then take it to the market for sale. As you can imagine, the poor mother was caught between a rock and a hard place, since any prayer would end up hearting one of her sons or the other! Aesop of course continues that wise mother devised her own prayer, via which she would ask Athena, the goddess of wisdom to use her own judgment in arranging the weather, so that both of her sons were treated fairly! This tale reminds me of the constant dilemma that we find ourselves in with regard to which language, Greek or English, we should use in the KPHTH magazine! On one hand, our English-speaking friends argue that time has come to do away with the Greek, and to use almost exclusive English. On the other hand, our first generation Greek-speakers demand that we do away with English, especially since they argue that anyone can just go to the neighborhood newsstand and buy all sorts English magazines, but KPHTH they say is and should for ever be the last bastion of the Greek language. Between the two arguments, our KPHTH editors, our 2nd VP and me, find ourselves in a bind! Letters to the Editor, as the one we printed in this issue form my good friend George Christie of Arizona, phone calls and complaints are common and at times somewhat excessive and unwarranted! The solution we try to follow is much similar to the one the old mother of the Aesop s tale followed, and in trying to keep a balance we always try to print articles in both languages, or at times alternate between one and the other! Many ask as to why don t we simply print all articles in both languages? The answer of course is simple economics, as if we were to do that, the magazine would have twice as many pages and cost twice as much! Although we are not nearly as wise as the goddess Athena, never the less, we ask for your understanding, forbearance and trust, and want to reassure you that we always try our very best to keep that balance as reasonable continue on page 6 4 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

5 [μήνυμα προέδρου] Το Μυστήριο της Κρήτης - Ενα Καλειδοσκόπιο Οι Πρωτοπόροι μας, οι Ήρωές μας. Μέχρι πριν κάποιους μήνες, για να είμαι απόλυτα ειλικρινής, δεν γνώριζα λεπτομερώς την ιστορία των Κρήτων πρωτοπόρων της Δύσης! Τουλάχιστον όχι μέχρι τη στιγμή που μου ζητήθηκε από το τοπικό μας Σύλλογο της Γιούτα να είμαι ο κύριος ομιλητής στην τελετή της Ημέρας Μνήμης των Πεσόντων, που οι Έλληνες της Γιούτα γιορτάζουν τον Μάΐο και τιμούν τους πρώτους Έλληνες που θυσιάστηκαν στον βωμό του καθήκοντος, για να μπορούμε εμείς να απολαμβάνουμε σήμερα σαν ισότιμοι πολίτες αυτά που η χώρα αυτή προσφέρει. Τότε αναγκάστηκα να διαβάσω γι αυτό το θέμα, και έμεινα έκπληκτος από αυτά που διάβασα. Συνεπάρθηκα από τη γενναιότητα, το κουράγιο, τις περιπέτειες, την αφοσίωση, την υπομονή και επιμονή, και τις επιτυχίες αυτών των ανθρώπων, που άφησαν την πατρίδα τους προς αναζήτηση μιας καλύτερης ζωής, την καλύτερη ζωή που πολλοί από αυτούς ποτέ δεν τη βρήκαν εδώ στην νέα γη. Σ αντίθεση βρήκαν χιλιάδες εμπόδια, ρατσισμό και φανερή έχθρα από τους κατοίκούς της και παρόλα αυτά με την αποφασιστικότητα, την επιμονή και υπομονή τους, και μολονότι οι πιθανότητες ήταν εναντίον τους κατάφεραν να προοδεύσουν και να δημιουργήσουν κοινότητες, οικογένειες, την νέα Κρήτη στη γη της Γιούτα, του Κολοράντο και οποιαδήποτε πόλη της Αμερικής! Είναι αυτή η αποφασιστικότητα, η επιμονή, υπομονή και η απόλυτη επιτυχία τους, που εμείς και οι αδελφοί μας στη Γιούτα γιορτάσαμε τον περασμέμο Μάϊο στο Σόλτ Λέϊκ Σίτι. Για όλους αυτούς τους Έλληνες πρωτοπόρους, που πρέπει να είναι οι ήρωες μας, αυτοί που θυσιάστηκαν στα αμέτρητα ατυχήματα στα ορυχεία και στους σιδηροδρόμους, αυτοί που παρενοχλήθηκαν, εκδιώχθηκαν και σκοτώθηκαν στις απεργίες, αυτοί που θυσιάστηκαν υπερασπίζοντας τη αξιοπρέπεια και την ελευθερία, αυτοί που αφιέρωσαν τις ζωές τους για να στρώσουν το μονοπάτι και να βάλουν τις βάσεις για τη δική μας πρόοδο και ευημερία, ας αποτίνουμε φόρο τιμής στην ευλογημένη μνήμη τους. Τον μεγαλύτερο φόρο τιμής που μπορούμε να προσφέρουμε σ αυτούς που θυσιάστηκαν είναι να κυματίσουμε περήφανα το λάβαρο της ελευθερίας! Ο μεγαλύτερος φόρος τιμής σ όλους αυτούς που μόχθησαν στους σιδηροδρόμους και στα ορυχεία, είναι να κυματίσουμε το λάβαρο της προόδου και ευημερίας μας! Να τους έχουμε πάντα ζωντανούς στην καρδιά και στο μυαλό μας! Πρέπει να είμαστε ευγνώμονες για το μεγαλύτερο δώρο που μας έχουν δώσει, να αναζητούμε και να εκτιμούμε το «Μυστήριο της Κρήτης»! Μπορείτε να διαβάσετε περισσότερα πάνω στο θέμα των πρωτοπόρων Κρητών στο άρθρο που βρίσκεται παρακάτω σε τούτο το τεύχος του ΚΡΗΤΗ. Μπρος γκρεμός και πίσω ρέμα Ένας μύθος του Αίσωπου έχει ως εξής: κάποτε υπήρχε 5 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008 μια μάνα που ζούσε στην εξοχή έξω από την Αθήνα και είχε δύο μεγάλους γιους. Ο ένας γιος ήταν αγρότης και ο άλλος αγγειοπλάστης! Παρόλο που οι δύο γιοι ήταν ιδιαίτερα θρήσκοι, σε τακτά χρονικά διαστήματα ζητούσαν από τη μητέρα τους να προσεύχεται εκ μέρους τους στο ναό της Αθηνάς. Ο αγρότης ζητούσε από τη μητέρα του να προσευχηθεί στη Θεά να βρέξει για να ποτιστούν τα χωράφια του και να έχει καλή σοδειά! Ο αγγειοπλάστης από την άλλη ζητούσε από τη Θεά Αθηνά «ηλιόλουστες μέρες» για να μπορούν να στεγνώσουν τα αγγεία του και να τα πουλήσει στην αγορά. Όπως φαντάζεστε, η μητέρα δεν ήξερε τι να προσευχηθεί αφού η κάθε προσευχή θα ήταν βλαβερή για τους έναν από τους δύο γιους της. Ο Αίσωπος συνεχίζει λέγοντας, η σοφή μάνα επινόησε μια προσευχή και ζητούσε από τη θεά Αθηνά, τη θεά της Σοφίας να κρίνει εκείνη τι καιρό πρέπει να «κανονίσει» ούτως ώστε και οι δύο γιοι της να αντιμετωπιστούν δίκαια! Αυτή η ιστορία μου θυμίζει το αδιάκοπο δίλλημα που έχουμε να αντιμετωπίσουμε σχετικά με το σε ποια γλώσσα πρέπει να χρησιμοποιούμε στο περιοδικό ΚΡΗΤΗ, αγγλικά ή ελληνικά! Από τη μια, οι Αγγλόφωνοι φίλοι μας επιχειρηματολογούν λέγοντας ότι ήρθε η στιγμή να σταματήσουμε τα Ελληνικά και να χρησιμοποιούμε σχεδόν αποκλειστικά την Αγγλική γλώσα. Από την άλλη βέβαια, η πρώτη γενεά των Ελληνόφωνων απαιτούν να καταργήσουμε την Αγγλική γλώσσα χρησιμοποιώντας το επιχείρημα ότι ο καθένας μπορεί να πάει να αγοράσει Αγγλόφωνα περιοδικά στης γειτονιάς του το περίπτερο, και ότι το περιοδικό ΚΡΗΤΗ πρέπει να είναι πάντα το τελευταίο προπύργιο της Ελληνικής γλώσσας. Ανάμεσα στα δύο επιχειρήματα οι συντάκτες του περιοδικού, ο 2ος Αντιπρόεδρος και εγώ, αντιμετωπίζουμε συχνά το μεγάλο δίλλημα - Μπρος γκρεμός και πίσω ρέμα! Γράμματα στους συντάκτες, όπως αυτό που δημοσιεύσαμε σ αυτό το τεύχος από τον καλό φίλο μου τον κ. Γιώργο Κρίστυ από την Αριζόνα, τηλεφωνήματα και παράπονα είναι σύνηθες, αλλά κάποιες φορές κάπως υπερβολικό και αδικαιολόγητο! Η λύση που προσπαθούμε να ακολουθήσουμε είναι παρόμοια με αυτή της μητέρας από το μύθο του Αίσωπου, να κρατήσουμε ισορροπία τυπώνοντας τα άρθρα και στις δύο γλώσσες, ή κάποιες φορές εναλλάσοντας τη μία γλώσσα με την άλλη! Πολλοί ρωτούν γιατί δεν τυπώνουμε όλα τα άρθρα και στις δύο γλώσσες; Η απάντηση σ αυτή την ερώτηση είναι καθαρά το οικονομικό. Εάν το κάναμε αυτό η έκδοση του περιοδικού θα είχε διπλάσιο κόστος! Παρόλο που δεν είμαστε σοφοί όπως η θεά Αθηνά, ζητάμε την κατανόηση, αυτοσυγκράτηση και εμπιστοσύνη σας και θέλουμε να σας επιβεβαιώσουμε ότι κάνουμε ότι είναι ανθρωπίνως δυνατό για να κρατήσουμε αυτή την ισορροπία και να συνεχίσουμε να σας φέρνουμε το Μυστήριο και Μεγαλείο της Κρήτης μέσα από τις σελίδες του περιοδικού είτε αυτό είναι στ Αγγλικά ή Ελληνικά! συνεχεια στην σελιδα 6

6 and accurate as humanely possible, and that we will continue bringing you the Mystery and Glory (Megaleio) of Crete via the pages of KPHTH, regardless if they are in Greek or English! The Preliminary Program for the 2009 Convention in Crete Lastly, in this issue we feature the preliminary, but probably pretty accurate, program for the 2009 Cruise Convention in Crete. A great deal of thinking and work has gone in creating this program and for that, I want to thank our Convention Organizing Committee and above all, it s Chairperson Kosta Travayiakis. In the Organizing Committee s view, with which I fully concur, three key words that fully describe the 2009 Convention are: CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL and FUN! Every event, every venue, every day, have been designed with the above themes in mind! The entire Convention is designed to showcase and reveal the Mystery and Majesty of Crete! Because of that, I foresee that the 09 Convention will write history and will remain in every participants mind for years to come! Don t miss this great opportunity! Don t miss the Boat! Plan from now to attend the 41st PAA Convention in Crete from July 17 to 24, Send in your reservation and $300/person deposit. The Complete and Detailed program along with the boat cabin pricing will be forthcoming in the September issue of KPHTH. We are making every effort possible to keep the pricing significantly below that of Commercial tour operators! With my best wishes for a relaxing and rejuvenating summer, Manolis Velivasakis, National President Προκαταρκτικό Πρόγραμμα Συνεδρίου 2009 στην Κρήτη Εν κατακλείδι, στο τεύχος αυτό παρουσιάζεται το προκαταρκτικό, αλλά αρκετά ακριβές, πρόγραμμα του εν πλω Συνεδρίου 2009 στην Κρήτη. Πολλή δουλειά και σκέψη έχει γίνει για να δημιουργηθεί αυτό το πρόγραμμα και γι αυτό θέλω να ευχαριστήσω την Οργανωτική Επιτροπή του Συνεδρίου με πρόεδρο τον κ. Τραβαγιάκη Κώστα. Η περιγραφή της Οργανωτικής Επιτροπής για το συνέδριο του 2009, την οποία επικροτώ, βρίσκεται στις ακόλουθες λέξεις: ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΟ, ΕΚΠΑΙΔΕΥΤΙΚΟ και ΨΥΧΑΓΩΓΙΚΟ! Κάθε γεγονός, κάθε τοποθεσία, κάθε μέρα έχει σχεδιαστεί με τα παραπάνω μοτίβα στο μυαλό! Το όλο συνέδριο έχει σχεδιαστεί έτσι για να προβληθεί το «Μυστήριο και Μεγαλείο της Κρήτης»! Εξαιτίας αυτού προβλέπω ότι το συνέδριο του 2009 θα γράψει ιστορία και θα μείνει βαθιά χαραγμένο στη μνήμη κάθε συμμετέχοντα για τα επόμενα χρόνια! Μη χάσετε αυτή την ευκαιρία! Μη χάσετε το πλοίο! Προγραμματίστε από τώρα για να παρακολουθήσετε το 41ο Συνέδριο της Παγκρητικής Ένωσης Αμερικής στην Κρήτη από τις Ιουλίου του Το ολοκληρωμένο και λεπτομερές πρόγραμμα καθώς και οι τιμές για τις καμπίνες θα παρουσιαστούν στο προσεχές τεύχος του Σεπτεμβρίου. Κάνουμε κάθε δυνατή προσπάθεια να κρατήσουμε το κόστος πιο χαμηλά από τα ταξιδιωτικά γραφεία! Τις καλύτερες ευχές για ένα ξεκούραστο και αναζωογονητικό καλοκαίρι, Μανώλης Βεληβασάκης, Πρόεδρος [letters] Dear PAA Board Members: As I look back at the Pan Cretan memorial weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah I would like to send my thanks to everyone that attended. The weekend went as planned and encompassed a variety of different events. The welcome night and the horosperitha were both relaxing and enjoyable; the memorial celebrations on Sunday brought about a sense of remembrance and compassion. I would like to thank all of the board members that attended the weekend in Salt Lake. Your support for the Minos Chapter is greatly appreciated. The love and knowledge about the history of Cretans in Utah and elsewhere that each of you brought to the weekend allowed it to be considered a success in all sense of the word. The entire Minos Board sends their thanks. Sincerely, George Liodakis Dear PAA Board Members: The Trustees of the Pancretan Endowment Fund are pleased to welcome Dr. Nicholas G. Loutsion as a Friend of the University of Crete. Dr. Loutsion receives this honor as a result of his contribution of one thousand dollars to the endowment fund. Dr. Loutsion, his wife Susan, and daughters Alexandra and Alyssa are members of the Arkadi-Maleme Chapter in Pittsburgh. They reside in Canonsburg, PA where he operates a veterinary clinic for equine and small animals. His parents, George and Koula Kusturiss Loutsion, with roots in Kalives, Crete, were lifelong members of the Pittsburgh Chapter. In addition to being a member of the Board of Arkadi- Maleme, Dr. Loutsion is also active in his church community. He is an Archon and member of Leadership 100. We are grateful for his generosity and support of the Pancretan Endowment Fund. Mary Vasilakis, Chair PEF Dear Mr. Velivasakis I read with great interest in the May, 2008, issue of the KPHTH magazine that the Pancretan Association is considering holding their 2009 Convention on board a ship that will cruise the major cities in Crete and go to Alexandria, Egypt as well. I was born in the United States but both of my parents were born in Crete and my wife s parents were also born in Greece. My wife and I have visited Crete and Greece in the past but none of my children or grandchildren have been there. If this trip is reasonably priced I would like very much to have my three children and their spouses as well as my 8 Grandchildren accompany us on this trip. If the trip would be open to individuals of non-greek descent I believe we could also get some of our other friends to come along. Please keep me informed of the planning of this event. My survey form is enclosed. Thank you. Yours very truly, E. S. Bikakis 6 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

7 PAA President and Board Members It has been brought to my attention by various groups of the Pancretan clubs, that our KPHTH Magazine is mainly published for Cretans that read Greek. The Editor must take into consideration that most first, second and third American born Cretan s generations speak Greek, but do not read Greek. If we are to pass on our heritage to future generation of Cretans we must make sure that all articles are published in English and Greek so that our children, who do not read Greek can understand what is being passed on to them. We are very fortunate to have this heritage passed on to us by our parents and grandparents. We must not let this die due to lack of information to future generations. As our future generations come to the picture, there will be more people not reading the Greek language. We must make sure that we do everything in our power to pass on what our parents have communicated to us. The KPHTH Magazine is a good source to pass on some of our heritage and if they do not read Greek, they will lose the information that is in our magazine. We have great heritage and must not let it fade due to the lack of communication and understanding. Another factor to be considered, there will be more mixed marriages in the future as time goes by, there will be more and more American born Cretans that will not read Greek. All these factor should be taken into account for the Pancretan Association to survive. Sincerely yours and respectfully submitted George P. Christie PROPERTY FOR SALE IN APOKORONAS Beautiful fertile property in high elevated area of 16,000 square meters with olive trees in Vrysses-Vamos area. With 300 frontage on paved Rd, located in area karydi, just 2 kilometers from the Vryses and 3 from Vamos. The property has a spectacular view of White Mountains, it is just 6 minutes driving from cosmopolitan beach of Georgioupolis, 30 minutes from Chania, 15 minutes from Rethymnon and just 3 minutes from the National Cretan Highway. It has electricity, water and telephone line. Because is located between 2 country roads builds 200square meters in two stemmata. Property cleard as buildable from the Forestry Service. Call: USA Cell USA Chania: No.0001 Name: Address:. Telephone:.. YOUTH RAFFLE PANCRETAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Drawing to be held Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 in Crete All proceeds are for the benefit of sending our Youth to the 2009 Convention in Crete 1st Prize: Round Trip Ticket to Greece (from NYC) Donated by Continental Airlines 2nd Prize: Round Trip Ticket to Greece (from NYC) Donated by Olympic Airlines 3rd Prize: Complete PAA 09 Convention Package Donated by the Pancretan Association 4th Prize: Complete PAA 09 Convention Package Donated by the Pancretan Association 5th Prize: 3-night stay in Boutique Hotel in Mykonos, Greece Donated by Homeric Tours 6th Prize: 3-night stay in Pearl Beach Hotel in Rethymno, Crete Donated by the Schoinas Family 7th Prize: 3-night stay in Pearl Beach Hotel in Rethymno, Crete Donated by the Schoinas Family 8th Prize: Two nights stay at the New York Casino Hotel in Las Vegas Donated by the NY-NY Casino Hotel, Las Vegas, NV 9th Prize: One weekend-stay in Vandaris Hotel in Georgioupolis, Chania Donated by the Vandaris Family 10th Prize: One weekend-stay in Costa-Mare Hotel in Cherissonisos Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 11th Prize: One weekend-stay in Costa-Mare Hotel in Cherissonisos Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 12th Prize: One weekend-stay in Costa-Mare Hotel in Cherrisonisos Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 13th Prize: One week-stay for 4-people at VENUS Apts - Cherissonisos Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 14th Prize: One week-stay at STUDIO Apartment in Cherissonisos Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 15th Prize: One-week Car Rental Donated by Kostas Badouvas & Family 16th Prize: 18 multi-strand semiprecious Pearl Necklace Donated by Erasmia Novotny/ Pearl craft mfg Valued at $500 17th Prize: Dinner for 6 at the Kalathakis Estate in Crete Donated by Mr & Mrs. Kalathakis 18th Prize: Dinner for 4 at S AGAPO Taverna in NYC Donated by Costadis & Barbara Lambrakis 19th Prize: One Amber authentic Comboloi Donated by Ippokratis Beladakis Valued at $500 20th Prize: 3 cases of NOSTOS wine Donated by the Ted & Rema Manousakis 21st Prize: 3 cases of famous Malvazia aromatic wine Donated by the Region of Crete (to be picked up in Crete) 22nd Prize: One case of Cretan Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Donated by the Semanderes Family 23rd Prize: 2 copies (Greek & English) of The Authentic Cooking of Crete Donated by the Nikos & Maria Psilakis 24th Prize: One copy of the Eleftherios Venizelos Historic Photo Album Donated by Manolis & Orsa Velivasakis 25th Prize: One copy of the T. Detorakis Historic Album KPHTH Donated by The Region of Crete 1 raffle for $25 5 for $100 Winners need not be present to win Prizes as donated. No cash value. No.0001 Youth Raffle Ticket If a youth sells 50 raffle tickets, he or she gets on the Boat for FREE! Sponsored by NOSTOS WINES Sponsored by NOSTOS WINES 7 PAA_RAFFLE_TICKET.indd 1 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST /19/ :45:33 PM PAA_RAFFLE_TICKET.indd 2 5/19/ :45:33 PM

8 Convention News Bulletin No 2 41st NATIONAL CONVENTION DEDICATED TO OUR NEW GENERATION Well under way are our efforts for the realization of the innovative and pioneering idea of the Convention-cruise CRETAN ODYSSEY (ΚΡΗΤΙΚΗ ΟΔΥΣΣΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΝΟΣΤΟΥ). Undoubtedly the 41st Convention is a remarkable initiative, a Convention with validity and prestige that combines a network of cultural, historical, educational, and recreational aspects and also gives us the opportunity to commemorate the Cretan land. We are talking about a magnificent voyage and an exploration in the pages of the island s unique history. Apart from the island s graphic Venetian cities, the Cretan architecture and the historical sites you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a tender welcome from Crete s rough shorelines. The major focus of this cruise is our youth; the most important connecting link between us and our future. This voyage is for our youth an imperative educational experience; a respectful pilgrimage to the land of our ancestors that will bond them emotionally with the island of Crete and the heritage of our fathers and forefathers. Our youth is at the forefront of our efforts and the driving force and that is why we want to educate them. They will have the opportunity to take part in various educational and cultural programs at the convention, such as: Holy Liturgy at the church of Saint Mina in Heraklion. Wreath-laying at the memorial of the Unknown Soldier accompanied by the President of the Hellenic Republic. Presentation of the Venizelion Award. Visit at the Patriarchate of Alexandria. Cultural night at the historical fort of Firka at Chania. Visit and wreath-laying at the graves of the Venizelos s. Various cultural events at the District of Rethymno. Candle-procession from Akrotiri-Prophet Elias to the District of Mousouron. Various memorable guided tours. Performances of traditional Cretan dances at various cultural events. Guided tour in Knossos, entitled: The Minoan Civilization. Guided tour at the historical Library of Alexandria. Tour of the historical locations: Akrotiri, Graves of the Venizelos family, Holly church of Prophet Elias, and the monuments of the English soldiers that died in the Cretan Battle and Kayale. Guided tour entitled: The History of Crete. Guided tour at the Monastery of Arkadi, entitled: The Selfless Sacrifice at the Monastery of Arkadi. Immense are the efforts of the Convention s organizing committee to print educational brochures for every location and historical place that we will visit so as to allow us to take our trip in the past to the future. In addition two spectacular concerts promise to take our breath away while we will be sailing towards and from Alexandria. In this issue of KPHTH magazine you will have the opportunity to view a brief overview of the schedule of the convention and the cruise-ship s route. I wish you a happy summer and upon our return from Crete the President of the P.A.A. and I will present you with a more detailed schedule of the Convention. With brotherly regards, For the 41st Convention Organizing Committee Kostas Travayiakis GENERAL Chairman 8 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

9 Με εντατικό ρυθμό και οργανωμένη δραστηριότητα εξελίσσεται ομαλά η υλοποίηση του φιλόδοξου πρωτοποριακού προγράμματος της κρουαζιέρας-συνέδριο «ΚΡΗΤΙΚΗ ΟΔΥΣΣΕΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΝΟΣΤΟΥ». Αναμφίβολα το 41ο συνέδριο είναι μια αξιοθαύμαστη πρωτοτυπία, ένα συνέδριο αξιοπιστίας και εγκυρότητας που συνδυάζει ένα τολμηρό δίχτυο πολιτιστικού, ιστορικού, εκπαιδευτικού, και ψυχαγωγικού κλίματος και συνάμα ένα προσκύνημα στην αγιασμένη γη της Κρήτης. Είναι μια ελκυστική θαλασσινή περιπέ τεια και μια ξενάγηση που θα ξαναζήσει τις σελίδες της πρώιμης ιστορίας του νησιού - ενός μοναδικού πολιτισμού και της αθάνατης πολύτιμης ιστορίας. Πέρα από τις γραφικές Ενετικές πόλεις, την Κρητική αρχιτεκτονική και τους ιστορικούς χώρους θα απολαύσουμε την άγρια ομορφιά της Κρήτης από την θάλασσα με ένα τρυφερό καλωσόρισμα. Ο ανώτατος στόχος της κρουαζιέρας είναι αφιερωμένος αποκλειστικά στην νέα γενεά- τον απαραίτητο κρίκο του αυριου και της μεταβατικής συνέχειας. Για τους νέους το ταξίδι αυτό είναι μια πολύτιμη και επιτακτική εκπαιδευτική εμπειρία; ένα προσκύνημα σεβασμού για την θρυλική προγονική γη που θα τους δέσει συναισθηματικά με το νησί της Κρήτης και με το μαυρομάντηλο των πατεράδων και των παππούδων των. Η Νεολαία είναι ο καρπός της προσπάθειας μας και το γενικό κίνητρο μας έχει στόχο την νεανική ενημέρωση της. Οι νέοι μας θα λάβουν μέρος σε όλα τα μορφωτικά και πολιτιστικά προγράμματα του συνεδρίου: Στην δοξολογία στην αρχιεπισκοπής Άγιου Μηνά, στο Ηράκλειο. Στη κατάθεση στεφάνων στον μνημείο του Άγνωστου στρατιώτη με την συμμετοχή του Προέδρου της Δημοκρατίας. Συμμετοχή στην εκδήλωση της βραδιάς «απονομής Βενιζελιου βραβείου». Στην πολιτιστική εκδήλωση στον Δήμο Σητείας. Στην επίσκεψη του πατριαρχείου Αλεξάνδρειας. Στην πολιτιστική εκδήλωση στο ιστορικό φρούριο Φρικα, Χανιά. Ενημερωτικό Δελτίο Συνεδρίου Νο 2 41ο ΣΥΝΕΝΔΡΙΟ «ΑΦΙΕΡΩΜΕΝΟ ΣΤΗΝ ΝΕΑ ΓΕΝΙΑ» Στην κατάθεση στεφάνου στους τάφους Βενιζέλου. Ποικίλες πολιτιστικές εκδηλώσεις στο Ρέθυμνο. Μετά την λήξη του συνεδρίου θα λάβουν μέρος σε μια θεαματική λαμποδοφορια από το Ακρωτήρι Χανίων στο δήμο Μουσούρων- το επίγραμμα του συνεδρίου. Αξέχαστες Εκπαιδευτικές ενημερωτικές εκδρομές. Συμμετοχή των χορευτικών συγκροτημάτων της νεολαίας μας σε διάφορες πολιτιστικές εκδηλώσεις. Επίσκεψη στο παλάτι της Κνωσού με ενημερωτική ομιλία για τον Μινωικό πολιτισμό. Επίσκεψη στην Αλεξανδρινή βιβλιοθήκη με ξεναγό και ομιλία για την αρχαία πολιτεία της Αλεξάνδρειας και τον Μέγα Αλέξανδρο. Ευχάριστη ημερήσια εκδρομή στο προφήτη Ηλία του Ακρωτηρίου Χανίων, τάφοι Βενιζέλων, άγαλμα Κεγιαλε σε συνδυασμό με ιστορική αναδρομή στον αιματοβαμμένο αγώνα της απολευτερωσης της Κρήτης και την πολυπόθητη ένωση με την Ελλάδα. Περιήγηση στην Μονή Αρκαδίου με ενημέρωση του ιστορικού ολοκαυτώματος. Έντονη προσπάθεια γίνεται από την επιτροπή του συνεδρίου να τυπωθούν αναμνηστικά φυλλάδια της περιηγήσεως, επίσης και αξέχαστα ψυχαγωγικά προγράμματα σε ιστορικούς χώρους για να μείνει η ανάμνηση της πορείας του παρελθόντος μια ανεξίτηλη ανάμνηση του μέλλοντος. Δυο φαντασμαγορικές συναυλίες θα μαγέψουν τον επισκέπτη καθώς θα αρμενίζουμε για Αλεξάνδρεια και κατά την επιστροφή μας στο λιμάνι της Σούδας. Σε τούτο το τεύχος του περιοδικού ΚΡΗΤΗ θα έχετε την ευκαιρία να ενημερωθείτε συνοπτικά σχετικά με το πρόγραμμα του συνεδρίου και την διαδρομή του κρουαζιερόπλοιου. Σας εύχομαι καλό καλοκαίρι και μετά από την επιστροφή μας από τη Κρήτη με τον πρόεδρο της Παγκρητηκής κ. Μανώλη Βεληβασάκη θα σας γνωστοποιήσουμε λεπτομερώς το ολοκληρωμένο πρόγραμμα του Συνεδρίου. Με αδελφικούς χαιρετισμούς Εκ μέρους της Οργανωτικής Επιτροπής του 41ου Συνεδρίου Κώστας Τραβαγιάκης Πρόεδρος Επιτροπής 9 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

10 [PAA National Convention] PAA 2009 National Convention Youth Raffle Guidelines Goal: Raise a target sum of no less than $150, for the purpose of subsidizing the Convention packages for our Pancretan Youth. The maximum amount subsidized will be equal to the cost of a bed in a lower-level, triple or quad -cabin. If any member of our Pancretan Youth wishes to upgrade to higher-cost cabin, they will have to pay for the cost differential. Deadline: Tentative Fundraising Deadline: April 30, Convention Packages will be distributed at that time to the Youth. Any additional funds raised AFTER this date, may be distributed retroactively after the Convention. Cost per raffle ticket: $25.00 per raffle ticket or 5 raffle tickets for $ Prizes: 25 different prizes, all donated with a combined value of more than $ 50,000.00! Incentives: 1. Each chapter will be entitled to one (1) Convention Youth package * for one of their own youth members, for every 50 raffle tickets sold. Therefore, the more sets of 50 raffle tickets a chapter sells, the greater the number of the local youth will have a chance to attend the convention for FREE. 2. Any individual youth, member of a Youth and/or adult Chapter, who wants to go to the Convention, has the same incentive. If she/he sells a set of 50 raffle tickets will automatically gain hers/his Convention Youth package! Criteria for Awarding subsidized ConventioN packages to Youth: Those (individuals or chapters) who meet the raffle ticket sales quota (i.e. sell 50 tickets/youth) will automati- cally be awarded their allotment of the Youth Convention packages. In addition, the following criteria will be utilized in awarding of leftover funds. As a general rule, money will be awarded in proportion to the effort exercised in the selling of the raffle tickets by the individual and/or the chapter he/she belongs: A member of the chapter s dance group that plans to perform at the convention. (Rules for participation and maximum size of Dance troupes will be developed by the Cultural/PYA/ Convention Committee and will be distributed soon). A PAA/PYA Youth Member in good standing for at least one year and who is financially challenged, and whose participation is endorsed by the Chapter President. A PAA/PYA Youth Member in good standing for at least one year, and whose participation is endorsed by the Chapter President. A short form for funding eligibility will need to be submitted to the convention committee for consideration of any applicant. Where to send the Funds: All checks should be payable to the order of: PAA 2009 Convention and on the memo should indicate Youth Raffle Fund. Each chapter must send: Sold Ticket Stubs, a copy of the Log (Chapter and Pres. names, Ticket Seller Names and telephone numbers, etc.) and the money raised directly to: Mr. Lefteris Dramitinos PAA 3rd Vice President 331 N. Wayfield St Orange, CA Tel Deadline: April 30, 2009 * The Convention Youth Package consists of the following: Passage on the Cruise Boat, Land Excursions and attendance to Youth Land Events. Dear Chapter Presidents and fellow PAA members, This letter is to bring to your attention of a new fundraising Program we are implementing across the PAA, which is designed to assist with the expenses of our Youth who will be attending the 2009 Convention in Crete. By now we trust that every one knows that our next Convention will take place in July 2009 in CRETE on a Cruse Ship. The preparations for this Convention are already well underway! By all indications, this convention-cruise will be one of the most exciting events ever, on which we are plan to visit all 4 major cities of Crete and circle around the entire island. We will also take a 2-day detour and visit Alexandria, Egypt and the wonderful Hellenistic and religious sites, including the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. The convention committee along with the PAA Board would like to see every Youth member to be able to attend this historic trip and to have the opportunity to see as much of Crete as possible. For that reason we decided to have a fund raising raffle, so that we can use the money to help our Youth by providing as many of them as possible with a FREE Convention-Cruise package. We are kindly asking you to please support our Youth by obtaining the raffle tickets through the chapters and by selling as many as you possibly can. The enclosed document describes in detail the rules and parameters for the raffle. We hope and pray for your support of the raffle. By participating and by selling the raffle tickets, you are helping your own Youth members! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us. The deadline for returning the tickets with the money is April 30, Fraternally yours, Lefteris Dramitinos, PAA 3rd VP Maria Kagias, PYA President 10 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

11 ΠΛΩΤΟ ΣΥΝΕΔΡΙΟ ΠΕΑ 2009 Δελτίο Κρατήσεων Όσον αφορά την κρουαζιέρα στο Συνέδριο του Ιουλίου 2009, γίνεται κάθε προσπάθεια για ναύλωση κρουαζιερόπλοιου που ικανοποιεί βέλτιστα τις ανάγκες και προσδοκίες μας. Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τα αποτελέσματα πρόσφατης δημοσκόπησης και τον προσδοκώμενο αριθμό μελών της ΠΕΑ που θα παραβρεθούν στο Συνέδριο στην Κρήτη το προσεχές έτος, εξετάζουμε ένα πλωτό θέρετρο με δυνατότητα φιλοξενίας 800 περίπου επιβατών σε 395 καμπίνες. Δεδομένου ότι ο αριθμός καμπινών είναι περιορισμένος, προσκαλείστε να κάνετε κρατήσεις το συντομότερο δυνατόν. Μια «επιστρεφόμενη κατάθεση» στο ποσό των 300 δολλαρίων ανά άτομο (ενήλικο) και 150 για κάθε παιδί και πλήρους απασχόλησης φοιτητή ή φοιτήτρια απαιτείται προκειμένου να κρατηθεί η καμπίνα ή καμπίνες σας. Όταν οι διαθέσιμες καμπίνες εξαντληθούν, το όνομά σας θα μπει σε κατάλογο αναμονής και η συμμετοχή σας στο Συνέδριο 2009 της ΠΕΑ δεν θα μπορεί να εγγυηθεί. Κρατήστε τις θέσεις σας το συντομότερο δυνατόν με μετάβαση στην ιστοσελίδα της ΠΕΑ, ή συμπλήρωση του δελτίου συμμετοχής και ταχυδρόμησή του μαζί με επιταγή πληρωτέα στη: «PAA 2009 Cruise Convention στον Mr. Emmanuel Sifakis στη διεύθυνση που παρουσιάζεται στο δελτίο κράτησης. Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες μέσω ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου: ή τηλέφωνο: (401) Σημείωση: Προτεραιότητα για την επιλογή καμπινών θα δοθεί στην ημερομηνία που παραλαμβάνεται η κράτησή σας. Μέχρι την 15η Οκτωβρίου 2008 θα σας ειδοποιήσουμε για τις ακριβείς δαπάνες από τις διάφορες επιλογές/κατηγορίες καμπινών για να κάνετε τη δική σας επιλογή. Για λόγους προγραμματισμού, υπολογίζουμε ότι το μέσο κόστος ανά άτομο θα είναι στο ύψος των 1200 δολλαρίων συν το φόρο. Μερικές καμπίνες θα είναι περισσότερο και μερικές θα είναι λιγότερο, ανάλογα με το κατάστρωμα, τη θέση και τον αριθμό επιβατών ανά καμπίνα. Επίσης, ανάλογα με το ποσό της τελικής επιχορήγησης για τη νεολαία, το κόστος πιθανά θα είναι σημαντικά χαμηλότερο. Η προκαταρκτική κατάθεση είναι για την εξασφάλιση της κράτησής σας μόνο. Είναι «μη εκπίπτον φορολογίας» και είναι «μη-επιστρεφόμενη» εάν η κράτηση ακυρωθεί μετά την 15η Ιανουαρίου ΑΙΤΗΣΗ ΚΡΑΤΗΣΕΩΣ ΘΕΣΩΝ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΣΥΝΕΔΡΙΟ/ΚΡΟΥΑΖΙΕΡΑ ΤΗΣ ΠΕΑ ΤΟ 2009 Εγώ/εμείς σχεδιάζουμε να παρευρεθούμε στο Πανεθνικό Συνέδριο της ΠΕΑ το 2009 στην Κρήτη και θα ήθελα να κάνω πρόκράτηση θέσεων. ΟΝΟΜΑΤΕΠΩΝΥΜΟ: ΔΙΕΥΘΥΝΣΗ: ΤΗΛΕΦΩΝΟ: ΕΜΑΙΛ: $300 = $ $150 = $ ΝΕΟΙ $ Αριθμός Καμπίνων: ΠΟΣΟΝ: $ ΥΠΟΓΡΑΦΗ: ΣΥΜΠΛΗΡΩΣΤΕ ΚΑΙ ΤΑΧΥΔΡΟΜΗΣΤΕ ΤΗΝ ΦΟΡΜΑ ΜΕ ΤΗΝ ΕΠΙΤΑΓΗ Mr. Emmanuel Sifakis PAA Convention 2009 Registration Coordinator 1771 Wedgewood Common, Concord, MA [συνέδριο 2009] PAA 2009 CRUISE CONVENTION RESERVATION FORM With regard to the July 09 Cruise Convention, every effort is being made to reserve a cruise liner that optimally meets our needs and expectations. Taking into consideration the results of our recent survey and the anticipated number of PAA members attending the Convention in Crete next year, we are considering a cruise-ship with a passenger capacity of appx. 800 persons with 395 cabins. As the number of cabins is limited, you are encouraged to make your reservations as soon as possible. A refundable deposit in the amount of $ per person (adult) and a $150 for each child & full time student, is required in order to reserve your cabin (s). Once the available cabins are reserved, your name will be placed on a waiting list and your participation at the 2009 PAA Convention may not be guaranteed. Make your reservations as soon as possible by going to the www. pancretan.org website, or complete the coupon below and mail it along with a check payable to PAA 2009 Cruise Convention to: Mr. Emmanuel Sifakis at the address shown below. For more info pls contact via: emmanuel_sifakis@alumni.brown.eduor cell: (401) Note: Priority for cabin selection will be based on the date your reservation is received. By October 15, 2008 we will notify you of the exact costs of the various options/categories of cabins for you to make your selection. For planning purposes, we estimate that the average cost per person will be in the range of $1200 plus tax. Some cabins will be more and some will be less, depending on deck-level, location and number of occupants per cabin. Also, depending on the amount of the final subsidy, for youths the cost will likely be significantly lower. This deposit is to secure your Preliminary Reservations only. It is not tax deductible and is Non-Refundable if your reservation(s) is cancelled after January 15, PAA 2009 CRUISE CONVENTION RESERVATION FORM I/we plan to attend the 2009 PAA National Convention in Crete, Greece and would like to make our preliminary reservations. NAME: ADDRESS: TELEPHONE NO: $300 = $ $150 = $ YOUTHS (F/T $ no of Cabins: CHECK AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $ SIGNATURE: MAIL COMPLETED FORM AND CHECK TO: Mr. Emmanuel Sifakis PAA Convention 2009 Registration Coordinator 1771 Wedgewood Common, Concord, MA KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

12 PANCRETAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA 41 ST NATIONAL CONVENTION - CRETE Cruise Schedule Day 1: Friday, July 17th 2009 Boarding from Piraeus Departure for Crete Day 2: Saturady, July 18th 2009 Arrive in Herakleion, Crete Day 3: Sunday, July 19th 2009 Arrive in Sitia, Crete Day 4: Monday, July 20th 2009 Arrive in Alexandria, Egypt Day 5: Tuesday, July 21st 2009 Arrive in Chania (Souda), Crete Day 6: Wednesday, July 22nd 2009 Departure from Chania Arrive in Rethymno, Crete Day 7: Thursday, July 23rd 2009 Departure from Rethymno, Crete to Piraeus Day 8: Friday, July 24th 2009 Arrive in Piraeus 12 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

13 From the Convention Chairman The PAA President, Board of Directors and the Organizing Committee of the 41st National Convention, are looking forward to welcoming you onboard the Pearl of the Aegean cruise liner from July 17th to July 24, We have planned a spectacular program, filled with mesmerizing moments, culturally enriched events, and an unforgettable homecoming to the land of our ancestors - the mythical island of Crete!. Kostas Travayiakis, Chairman 41st PAA National Convention 4 13 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

14 [PAA National Convention] 14 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

15 [PAA National Convention] Register NOW for the 41 ST NATIONAL CONVENTION - CRETE 2009 Do not let this unforgetable opportunity pass by! 15 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

16 [Special Report] Memorial Day 2008 A Tribute to the Pioneer Greeks of the West By: Emmanuel E. Velivasakis, PE President, Pancretan Association of America Reverent Fathers, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen: What a privilege it is, what an honor it is, to speak to you on this solemn occasion. For more than a century and a half, Americans have gathered on this Memorial day to remember those who were lost and that which was gained. There is arguably no greater sacrifice one can make than to die for another. And so through the years and wars, Americans have never ceased to honor those who gave all. The actions of these patriots are far more eloquent than any words I can offer. When he dedicated the battlefield at Gettysburg in 1863, Abraham Lincoln spoke of the inadequacy of words on occasions such as these: The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. And so it is with us today. The eloquence of words cannot match the power of the sacrifices made by so many. We honor them. We praise them. We remember them. And we do something else also: we acknowledge that their struggle the ancient struggle to be free goes on today. Like rivers flowing to the sea, so too all the battles in our history are connected to the larger struggle for freedom! Today however, I would like to focus our attention on another group of heroes, civilian heroes! Those pioneer Greek men and women who first set foot in this country, more than 100 years ago, and who played an instrumental role in the nation building and the shaping the country and society we live in today! A group of people whose only daily weapons were pick axes, and shovels, who toiled in railroad gangs and in the coal and copper mines, while facing tremendous hardships, but with tremendous determination and a great deal of hard work and sweat, and while they did not perhaps realize the significance of their toils, they contributed in building this great nation! Many Greeks, especially young men, were drawn to the United States (and to Utah) by the deep-rooted poverty of their country and their traditional duty to provide their sisters with dowries. Between 1906 and 1914, a yearly average of 31,000 Greek boys and men came to America. Historian Helen Papanikolas, who has chronicled the history of the early Greek immigrants in her book Toil and Rage in a New Land the Greek immigrants of Utah writes, Entire Greek villages were left with only women, children, and a few old men. They all expected, however, to return to the fatherland within a few years. The Greek government itself encouraged emigration to America with the expectation that the men would work, send money back home to their families, and then return. Thousands took the leap of faith, crossing the Ocean in over-crowed, sweaty ships, enduring unspeakable conditions during a monthlong journey and dreaming all along that they were coming at last to the land of plenty and liberty! The land of America! Those who could not find work in the big cities East, were lured by labor agents further west! They worked their way across the country laying rails over the prairies, building roads, digging sewers, and clearing land of sagebrush. They rode freights, munching on stale bread and dried beans, trying to learn a few words of the new language from small, gilt-edged, Greek- English dictionaries bought in New York and Chicago. In their confusion, they climbed onto wrong freight cars, their food giving out, always alert for railroad detectives their countrymen had warned them about. They hid from town officials who would charge them a three-dollar head tax and jail them if they could not pay it. And after the long and arduous journey, God only knew what waited for them in this new land! In Utah, all work for Greek immigrants was coordinated by labor agent Leonidas G. Skliris, the legendary Czar of the Greeks. Skliris, a leading Greek labor agent in the West, found work for immigrants at Utah Copper Company, Western Pacific Railroad, Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, and the coal mines of Carbon County. Men waited in coffeehouses for months for work. Skliris demanded a steep fee from the immigrants seeking work, as well as a monthly sum afterwards. Skliris bleeding of the Greeks led them to rise up against the padrone system in the Great Bingham Strike of At the coffeehouses the newest Greek arrivals heard of the coal mines in Carbon County and, by 1905, there were Greeks in Castle Gate, Spring Canyon, Sunnyside, Black Hawk, Helper, Winter Quarters, Scofield, and Price. 16 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

17 New coal veins were constantly being opened and the young Greeks wrote back to their villages that there was work for all in the mines. Once there they found themselves spinning in the hectic, boisterous life of Carbon County at the beginning of the century. The very terrain of mining towns on the slopes of the mountains made for a crowded intimate confusion. The boardwalk streets vibrated with labor agents, gamblers, labor agitators, all waiting to prey on the miners! Those working in the mines lived in shacks and boarding houses, divided according to nationality. The men were astounded by what they found in America. The loneliness of the prairies and deserts was hard for them. They had come from a gregarious people... Men particularly missed their fellow women, the glue of their culture! Working conditions in the mines and with the railroad gangs were nothing short of abhorring and outright dangerous! The safety of the men was of little concern to the industrial bosses, who could replace them as soon as they either got killed or maimed! The Greek Government itself became alarmed at their native sons lengthening stay in America. Reports of their terrible living and working conditions were daily items on the front pages of the Greek newspapers. Many of the Greeks had returned back to Greece crippled, blind and destitute! Many newspapers and the Government sent representatives to America to witness the situation themselves! One such official held court in a hotel lobby and admonished the men to return home as soon as possible! Another of those investigators was a young educated woman, the wife of a Athenian newspaper publisher named Maria Economidou. Her education and her husband s advance views on social issues, afforded her the unusual freedom, as a woman to travel to America alone! Visiting the Greek enclaves of the large cities, she then sought the hundreds of labor gangs dotting the landscape of the mid-west and the west, where she recorded the terrible conditions and devastation of the Greek workers! When she arrived in Utah in 1914, she visited several mines in Clear Creek. She later recounted her stories in vivid detail. In one instance she recounted that she travelled for 3-miles in total blackness, until coming to a gang of shadowed men. Narrow shafts of light shone from the carbide lamps on their caps. They stood in the icy water rhythmically swinging pickaxes against a wall of coal. She shouted to them: Geias Kritikopoula! May the god of Crete be with you! Startled by the unearthly feminine voice speaking their language, they dropped their picks and approached warily! The voice had seemed to come through the roof of coal from the sky! When the light from their lamps fell on her face they were astounded! A six-foot tall young Cretan wept! Maria Economidou visited the young Cretan s drafty shacks, where 10 to 15 men lived in each one and took turns cooking. The men made gallant attempts to find a chair for her to seat and a piece of cloth to cover a table! They told her of oppression and complete control over them of the bosses and the padrones, and their constant fear of getting killed or becoming ill! Their reluctance to visit the company doctors because they treated them like animals! Their lives they said were cheap; thousands more to take their places. The Greek journalist was further disgusted at the enthusiasm the men showed for a tarnished Greek performer, Madam Sophia. Accompanied by violin and laouto, she danced and sang with the grace of an elephant and the voice of a wolf! One [Special Report] of the miners explained: if we didn t have even this diversion from time to time, we would become animals completely! Those men on isolated labor gangs she found feared far worse! Without school and without church, their souls simply withered! A Greek proverb had arisen in the new country: In America, even beasts can learn but this was not true for the men on the extra gangs and road crews of the deserts and the plains! Like these hardships were not enough punishment, the Greeks experienced also intense discrimination. Their wages were lower than those of Americans, they were segregated on railroad gangs and often assigned the more dangerous work, and they were prohibited from living in and buying property in certain areas. The general population, apprehensive at the sudden appearance of hundreds of dark-skinned, single men, were openly hostile. They were stunned by the hate of Americans. The scum of Europe, depraved, brutal foreigners they were called in print, taunted and jeered 17 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

18 [Special Report] when they asked for work. In coffeehouses along the way, they heard of attacks on Greeks: the burning of Omaha s Greek Town and the routing of a gang of Greeks clearing sagebrush south of Boise, Idaho, by masked men on horses, whips and guns in their hands! Racism in Utah peaked with the presence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. The Klan s objectives were to reinforce and protect ideas of character established by white Protestants. Klan members also threatened immigrant businesses. Greeks banded with other immigrants in Helper against the Klan and established their own displays of resistance. It was during the Klan s heightened activity that another calamity of monumental proportion hit upon the pioneer Greek Community of Utah, on March 8 th, The Castle- Gate Mine No. 2 exploded killing 172 men, and leaving 417 dependents. Fortynine Greeks were among the dead; they left behind forty-one orphans. Forty-eight of the forty-nine were Cretan! In seven families, both the father and the eldest son were killed! The devastation in the Greek towns of the county was tremendous! Women donned in black keened at the sides of the coffins to mourn their dead husbands and sons, and mass funerals were held in a public hall, because the Price church was not large enough. Greek businessmen of Helper asked for donations among the Greeks and more than $131,000 was raised for the relief of the many widows and orphans! By 1905 thousands of Greeks had arrived in Utah; and in that year they built the Greek Church located right next door. It was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The church stood high in the immigrant district where Mormons had once lived. Its section was called Greek Town. The men built the church for the great Orthodox feasts of the year and more importantly to ensure their being buried with the rites of their forebears, if they died on foreign soil! Funerals were held regularly in the church for young men killed by falls of coal and ore, in railroad accidents, and in the smelters and mills. One hundred fiftythree Greeks were killed between 1907 and 1960, most of them during the period from 1910 to By 1915 a second Greek church, the Assumption, was built in Price, UT and was dedicated on August 15, Special trains ran from all the coal-camps and brought Greek miners shooting off guns in celebration. As the dream of returning home started to fade and the men decided to stay longer in America, they felt the need to establish homes and families! They brought picture brides from Greece and with them came the entire folk tradition of their people. The families lived in neighborhoods as if they were Greek villages. The women baked bread in outdoor domed earth ovens; they planted large vegetable gardens and irrigated them with Utah s plentiful water; they helped each other in births and in illnesses. Men were not the only ones doing the hard labor! Women often had several men as boarders, related either to them or to their husbands; some ran boarding-houses while raising a large number of children. Families of seven and eight children were common. Soon Greek schools were conducted in Salt Lake City and in the mining, mill, and smelter towns. A Pan-Hellenic union was established in Salt Lake City and another in Carbon County. Many topical organizations such as that of the Cretans, and others were later established. What s truly amazing is that in less than a generation, the Greeks of Utah had managed to build themselves a self-sustaining and wellfunctioning community! Although all those who originally came to America did not intend to stay, those who stayed established a unique culture - a culture that resonated their Greek roots, but was also transformed by their experience in the United States. Leaving their impoverished native country for economic security, Greek men encountered hardship in Utah s mines and racism from Utah s people. Yet they fought to retain their identity and their rights as workers! The presence of women stabilized the community and gave them strength as a people. And over time, Wild Greeks was an epithet of the past. The pioneer Greek men and women of Utah and the West, with their toil, sweat and blood contributed in the building of this great Nation! With the pick-ax in hand, they dug the coal to fire the factory furnaces of the American industrial revolution! With their bare hands, 18 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

19 using pickaxes and shovels they laid thousands of miles of track for the trans-continental railroad to connect the industrial centers of the East, the mid-west and the West! The men and women pioneers of the West, perhaps without even realizing it for a moment, they were building a Nation, block by block, stone by stone, swing by swing of the pickax, shovel by shovel of dirt, from the bottom up. For all those early Greek pioneers, whom we should consider our own heroes! Those who perished in the countless mine and railroad accidents, collapses and explosions, All those harassed and killed during the many labor strikes, All those who perished defending their dignity and our freedom, All those who dedicated their entire lives for laying down the path and foundations for our own progress and prosperity, let us pay tribute and dedicate to their blessed memory, this Memorial Day celebration! The greatest tribute we can offer to those who have died is to proudly wave today the banner of freedom! The greatest tribute we can offer to all those who toiled in the railroad and the mines, is to proudly wave today the banner of our progress and prosperity! If only they could take a peak, I suspect that all those [Special Report] blessed pioneers would be darn proud of our present day community and the progress and prosperity we have achieved! This Memorial Day and every day May we never forget those who toiled and those who perished May we never fail to live up to their high standards May God bless you all. 19 KPHTH JULY-AUGUST 2008

20 [Special Report] Φόρος Τιμής στους Πρωτοπόρους Έλληνες της Δύσης Πριν από ενάμιση αιώνα, Αμερικανοί πολίτες είχαν συγκεντρωθεί τη ημέρα Μνήμης των Πεσόντων, (Memorial Day), για να τιμήσουν αυτούς που είχαν χαθεί στις πολυάριθμες μάχες. Αναμφισβήτητα δεν υπάρχει μεγαλύτερη προσφορά από το να θυσιαστεί ο ένας για τον άλλον. Έτσι με το πέρασμα των χρόνων και διάφορων πολέμων, οι Αμερικανοί πολίτες δεν σταμάτησαν ποτέ να τιμούν αυτούς που θυσιάστηκαν για τη χώρα. Οι πράξεις των πατριωτών αυτών μιλούνε από μόνες τους. Ο πρόεδρος Αβραάμ Λίνκολν όταν μίλησε για τη μάχη στο Γκέτυσμπουργκ το 1863, αναφέρθηκε για την ανεπάρκεια των λέξεων σε περιπτώσεις τέτοιες: «Ο κόσμος λίγα θα καταγράψει ούτε θα θυμάται τίποτα απ ότι πούμε εδώ, αλλά πότε δε θα ξεχάσει τι έγινε εδώ». Το ίδιο είναι και μ εμάς σήμερα. Οι λέξεις είναι τόσο αδύναμες για να υποδείξουν τις θυσίες που έγιναν από τόσους πολλούς. Τους τιμούμε. Τους επαινούμε. Τους θυμόμαστε. Επίσης κάνουμε και κάτι άλλο: αναγνωρίζουμε ότι ο αγώνας τους -ο αρχέγονος αγώνας για την ελευθερία- συνεχίζεται μέχρι και σήμερα. Όπως τα ποτάμια εκβάλουν στη θάλασσα έτσι και όλοι οι αγώνες στην ιστορία μας είναι άρρηκτα συνδεδεμένοι με τον απώτερο σκοπό της Ελευθερίας. Σήμερα όμως, θα ήθελα να επικεντρώσω την προσοχή μας σ ένα άλλο σύνολο ηρώων, τους απλούς πολίτες! Στους πρωτοπόρους Έλληνες γυναίκες και άνδρες που πρώτοι πάτησαν πόδι σ αυτή τη χώρα, πριν από εκατό και περισσότερα χρόνια και διαδραμάτισαν σημαντικό ρόλο στο κτίσιμο αυτής της χώρας αυτής και της κοινωνίας που ζούμε σήμερα! Ένα σύνολο ανθρώπων οι οποίοι τα καθημερινά όπλα τους για επιβίωση ήταν ο κασμάς και το φτυάρι, που μόχθησαν χτίζοντας σιδηροδρόμους, δουλεύοντας στα ανθρακωρυχεία και στα ορυχεία χαλκού, όπου αντιμετώπιζαν τρομερές δυσκολίες, αλλά με τρομερή αποφασιστικότητα, σκληρή δουλειά και ιδρώτα, και παρόλο που ίσως δεν καταλάβαιναν τη σημασία των κόπων τους τότε, συνέβαλαν στη δημιουργία αυτού του μεγάλου έθνους! Πολλοί Έλληνες, κυρίως νέοι άνδρες, ήρθαν στην Αμερική εξαιτίας της φτώχιας που υπήρχε στη χώρα μας και λόγω της υπόχρεωσης να δώσουν προίκα στις αδερφές τους. Μεταξύ του 1906 και του 1914, κατά μέσο όρο κάθε χρόνο ερχόντουσαν στην Αμερική νέοι άνδρες. Η ιστορικός Ελένη Παπανικόλα, κατέγραψε στο βιβλίο της «Μόχθος και Μαίνος στην Καινούρια Γη οι Έλληνες μετανάστες της Γιούτα» την ιστορία των πρώτων Ελλήνων μεταναστών αναφέρει, «Ολόκληρα Ελληνικά χωριά ερημώναν και έμεναν μόνο με τις γυναίκες, τα παιδιά και μερικούς ηλικιωμένους». Όλοι προσδοκούσαν να επιστρέψουν στην πατρίδα σε μερικά χρόνια. Η ίδια Ελληνική κυβέρνηση παρότρυνε την μετανάστευση στην Αμερική, με την ελπίδα ότι οι μετανάστες θα δούλευαν και θα έστελναν χρήματα πίσω στις οικογένειες τους, και θα επέστρεφαν και οι ίδιοι πίσω. Χιλιάδες τόλμησαν να περάσουν τον ωκεανό στοιβαγμένοι σε καράβια, υπομένοντας άθλιες συνθήκες, σ ένα ταξίδι που διαρκούσε ένα μήνα, με το όνειρο ότι θα πατούσαν επιτέλους το πόδι τους στη γη της αφθονίας και της ελευθερίας! Τη γη της Αμερικής! Αυτοί που δεν μπορούσαν να βρουν δουλειά στις μεγαλουπόλεις της Ανατολικής ακτής, δελεάζονταν από τους πράκτορες ευρέσεως εργασίας, στη Δύση. Δούλεψαν σ όλη την ενδοχώρα τοποθετώντας σιδηροδρομικές γραμμές στα λειβάδια, χτίζοντας δρόμους, σκάβοντας υπονόμους, και καθαρίζοντας τη γη από αγριόχορτα. Επιβαίναν σε φορτηγά τρένα κρυφά για να μεταφερθούν από το ένα μέρος στο άλλο, μασουλώντας ψωμί μπαγιάτικο και φασόλια, προσπαθώντας να μάθουν κάποιες λέξεις της καινούριας γλώσσας από μικρά Ελληνο-Αμερικανικά λεξικά αγορασμένα από τη Νέα Υόρκη και το Σικάγο. Μέσα στη σύγχιση τους, ανέβαιναν σε λάθος φορτηγά βαγόνια, το φαγητό τους τελείωνε και επιπλέον έπρεπε να προσέχουν μην τους βρουν οι επιθεωρητές των τρένων, για τους οποίους τους είχαν προειδοποιήσει οι συμπατριώτες τους. Κρυβόντουσαν από τους λειτουργούς των πόλεων γιατί θα τους χρέωναν τρία δολλάρια φόρο κεφαλής και θα τους φυλάκιζαν αν δεν μπορουσαν να τον πληρώσουν. Ύστερα από αυτό το μακρύ και επίπονο ταξίδι, κανείς δεν ήξερε τι τους περίμενε σ αυτή την καινούρια γη! Στη Γιούτα, υπεύθυνος για την εύρεση εργασίας στους Έλληνες μετανάστες ήταν ο πράκτορας Λεωνίδας Γ. Σκληρής, ο θρυλικός «Τσάρος των Ελλήνων». Ο Σκληρής, ένας από τους επιφανής εμπόρους Ελλήνων μεταναστών στη Δύση έβρισκε δουλειά στους μετανάστες στην Εταιρία Χαλκού της Γιούτα, στις σιδηροδρομικές εταιρίες της Δύσης (Western Pacific Railroad, Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad) και στα ανθρακωρυχεία της κομητείας του Κάρμπον. Οι άντρες περίμεναν μήνες στα καφενεία για δουλειά. Ο Σκληρής απαιτούσε υπερβολική αμοιβή από τους μετανάστες που έψαχναν δουλειά, καθώς επίσης και μηνιαία αμοιβή μετά που τους έβρισκε εργασία. Η στυγνή εκμετάλευση από τον Σκληρή οδήγησε τους Έλληνες μετανάστες να ξεσηκωθούν κατά του συστήματος των εργατοπατέρων - προστάτων στην απεργία του Μπίνγκαμ το Στα καφενεία οι νέοι μετανάστες έμαθαν για τα νέα ανθρακωρυχεία της Κομητείας του Κάρμπον και από το 1905 υπήρχαν παντού Έλληνες (Castle Gate, Spring Canyon, Sunnyside, Black Hawk, Helper, Winter Quarters, Scofield, and Price). Καινούριες φλέβες άνθρακα βρίσκονταν συνέχεια και οι Έλληνες μετανάστες γράφαν πίσω στην πατρίδα ότι υπάρχει