'Aenos' Perpetuates Greek Island Values

Gerasimos Giakoumatos, Deputy of the 2nd District of Athens.

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the United States government was overwhelmed in attempting to save the nation and its own existence. The Greek nation never had a strong centralized government. They suffered over four centuries of Ottoman Turkish rule, sustained only by the local Greek Orthodox cleric and their community organization.

Cephalonian Association "Aenos", Inc. is an organization established in December 1932 to aid its members to overcome. They endured and followed Franklin Delano Roosevelt's saying "The only thing [we have] to fear is fear itself." During its 75 -year history, "Aenos" aided the island during W.W.II and the Greek Civil War. The organization aided Cephalonia during the devastating 1950s earthquake that caused a humanitarian crisis and exodus overseas. The Cephalonian Association "Aenos" is a unique society of islanders from the Ionian Sea. They are devoted to Hellenism, generous to the Greek Orthodox Church and community in America and Greece.

2007 commemorated the rich 75-year history of one of the finest clubs of the "Greek Overseas". The 75th anniversary celebration was held on Dec. 1, 2007 at the Ramada Plaza at JFK Airport. The Athenians by Timos Amoiridis and D.J. Bravo International provided musical entertainment. More than 500 persons attended this free dinner dance. Three outstanding scholars of Cephalonian descent were honored with $1,500 in scholarships. Julie Kourkoumelis, Leonidas Kouroupos and Marina Filippatos of St. John's University were awarded scholarships for their excellence in Modern Greek language and literature.

Panagis Vagelatos and Vasilios Kokkosis with a certificate commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Cephalonian Association "Aenos", Inc.

St. Gerasimos is the protector of all Cephalonians. Every island family throughout the world has an icon of the saint. There is at least one family member called Gerry, Gerasimos or Geraldine. Their names are distinguished with the root "atos". Gerasimos Giakoumatos, Deputy of the 2nd District of Athens and Alexander Parisi, Deputy of Cephalonia and Ithaca attended. In Greece, a deputy is a representative in the Greek Parliament.

"Cephalonians keep alive their remembrance of their country," said Giakoumatos. "They have pride in perpetuating their Hellenism that has a unique past and future." Deputy Parisi added, "Cephalonians and Ithacians have relocated from the islands to North Africa, Alaska and every part of the world. I want to congratulate our fellow countrymen who have not forgotten our island. They have become successful businessmen, scholars, who live and prosper in foreign countries, markets and universities, making us proud in Greece."

The 75th Anniversary Dance Journal is a bilingual English/Greek historical book describing the island's culture. The islanders' love of poetry is present. Photography showing the island's landscape evokes images of a summer vacation. Businesses throughout the tri-state area have page ads. This writer was impressed by the memorial pages with poetry for lost family members. Photographs of past dances and accomplishments indicate that the Cephalonian Association "Aenos", Inc. is vigorous and moving ahead in the 21st century. This book should be in every major library dedicated to island culture. For more information, contact Cephalonian Association "Aenos", Inc. 23-17 29th St., Astoria, NY 11105, tel: 718 726-1840, email: assaenos@cephslonia.com.