On Friday, two days before the annual Greek parade in New York celebrating Greek Independence, the ceremony of raising the Greek flag at Bowling Green, Manhattan, took place as part of the official events.
The ceremony’s highlight was the presence of the Evzones of the Presidential Guard and the famous Mantzaros Philharmonic band of Corfu, who will also take part in the annual parade on New York 5th Avenue on Sunday, April 14th.
Thousands of Greek-Americans and others are expected to descend onto Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue to watch the traditional parade and participate in the festivities to mark the anniversary of the Greek revolution against the Ottoman Turks.
The annual event, a celebration of Hellenic identity, culture, and achievements in the world, is organized and hosted by the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, a non-profit organization committed to fostering an appreciation of Greek-American heritage and achievement.
Last year, George M. Logothetis, Executive Chairman of Libra Group, was the Grand Marshal of the parade, and he walked along Archibishop Elpidophoros, Greek Ambassador to the US Alexandra Papadopoulou, and other dignitaries.
“As a proud Greek-American, it is an honor to be named a Grand Marshal for New York’s Greek Independence Day Parade,” said Logothetis.
George Karlaftis will be the Grand Master of the New York Greek parade
George Karlaftis, who just won his second Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, will be the Grand Master of the New York Parade.
George Karlaftis’ father, Matt, a javelin thrower, was a star in track and field at the University of Miami. His father, while attending graduate school, met his mother Amy at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue has an unsung relationship with Greece and Greek-Americans.
George’s parents returned to Athens, where his father became a professor. The family had four children. Everything changed, however, when their father died of a heart attack while traveling for work at age forty-four. Within days, their mother, Amy, moved the children back to Indiana, where she had more support.
It was in Indiana that George, who played many sports in Greece, fell in love with American football.
Photos: The Presidential Guard marched with the Greek American Community from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church & National Shrine to Bowling Green.
Tasos Kokkinidis, Greek reporter
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