For Immediate Release:
March 21, 2019
Bergen County Celebrates Greek Independence Day
(Hackensack) – Today, the County of Bergen brought together Greek American community leaders and residents in celebration of Greek Independence Day and raised the flag of Greece above the County Administration building at One Bergen County Plaza. Photographs of the event are included below.
Demetrios Bayiokos, AHEPA Bergen Knights Chapter 285 President, spoke to open the event program, while Colonel Paraskevi Strataki, Military Legal Officer for the Consulate General of Greece in New York, delivered the keynote address. Father Bill Basil Gikas of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Wyckoff offered an invocation and Father Angelo Artemas of Saint John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church in Tenafly gave the benediction. Guests enjoyed a performance by Tasos Papaioannou. Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco and Bergen County Freeholder Chair Germaine Ortiz spoke on behalf of county government.
The following individuals were honored during the program:
Demetra Agriantonis Maurice (Chief Assistant Prosecutor of the Major Crimes Unit, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office) - Outstanding Greek-American Legal Contribution
George Bafer (Department of Homeland Security, United States Secret Service) - Outstanding Greek-American Law Enforcement Contribution
Dennis Pothos (Detective, Fort Lee Police Department) - Outstanding Greek-American Heroic Contribution
Philip Vogis (Philanthropist) - Outstanding Greek-American Philanthropic Contribution
Helen Papapetrou (Metropolitan Cathedral of St John the Theologian Greek Afternoon School) - Outstanding Greek-American Education Contribution
William George (Korean War Veteran, United States Army) - Outstanding Greek-American U.S. Military Service Contribution
Steve Tenedios (Entrepreneur) - Outstanding Greek-American Business Contribution
John Psomas ( Second Vice President of Parish Council, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church) - Outstanding Greek-American Community Service Contribution
At the conclusion of the program, guests enjoyed lunch generously donated by numerous local Greek restaurants and diners.
