NY Nat’l Guard Commissions 1st Greek Orthodox Chaplain

Photo Catherine Tsounis First Lieutenant Peter S. Giakoumis (l.) commissions the Rev. Dionisios Marketos as a First Lieutenant. Marketos is the first Greek Orthodox chaplain to serve in the New York National Guard.

When the Rev. Dionisios Marketos was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the New York National Guard recently he became the first Greek Orthodox chaplain in the New York National Guard’s 150-year history, according to First Lieutenant Peter S. Giakoumis of the New York National Guard 4th Platoon, D Company. “Within a year, Rev. Marketos will become a captain of our brigade,” Giakoumis, a Whitestone resident, said. Marketos, who is from the village of Elata, Chios, and his family reside in Astoria and Mattituck, Long Island.

The commissioning ceremony was performed on Sunday, December 17 at the Philoptohos Ladies Society social in the church hall of the Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in Mattituck. A free luncheon of Greek cuisine was served to the community under the supervision of Philoptohos President Virginia Tripolitis and the ladies of the community.

“The New York Guard will become the premier state defense force in the nation,” Major General Michael R. Van Patten said on October 2. “The force will be comprised of fully trained personnel, ready to respond immediately to state emergency, and homeland defense missions, as directed by the governor and the adjutant general. The New York Guard personnel will be individually and collectively qualified and resourced to seamlessly take on mission responsibilities in support of the National Guard and civil authorities.”

For more information on the National Guard, visit www.DMNA.state.ny.us or email Lt. Giakoumis at DeltaX40 @msn.com.

—Catherine Tsounis