Greek Armed Forces Day was splendindly celebrated at a reception hosted by the Ambassador of Greece, Alexandros Mallias, on Tuesday, November 21. In attendance were U.S. Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Jim Nicholson, Pentagon and State Department officials. Also in attendance were Defense attaches of NATO members and of third countries, diplomats and prominent Greek Americans.
In his remarks, Ambassador Mallias noted the excellent state of Greek American relations in all areas, but most particularly U.S.-Greece military cooperation in both bilateral and in NATO and U.N. international missions.

On behalf of the U.S. Government, the Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Jim Nicholson, underscored the strong bonds between the American and the Greek people, and the common struggles of Greek and U.S. military forces from World War I to today’s war against international terrorism for the defense of freedom and democratic values.

Secretary Nicholson noted that American armed forces have learned from the Greek military genius of the Battle of Marathon and the legendary heroism of Greek soldiers during World War II, which led to the collapse of Hitler’s campaign against Russia and inspired Winston Churchill and inspired Winston Churchill to say, “Hence we will not say that Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes fight like Greeks!”

“The United States is honored to have such friends, partners in democracy, and comrades in arms as we have in the people of Greece. It gives me great pleasure to thank you and your countrymen for the invaluable contributions to peace and world security made every day by the Hellenic Armed Forces”,  Secretary Nicholson, concluded.

Source: Athens News Agency

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