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D
ear Youth Members,
As the PAA has illustrated
throughout this issue of KPHTH
Magazine, we are approaching
one of the most monumental celebrations our organization has ever
seen. The PAA 100 Year Anniversary Gala is a weekend long celebration taking place Thursday, December 5, through Sunday, December
Katerina Makridakis
8, to honor the glory of Crete, and
PYA President
[email protected]
the sacrifices made by the Cretan
people resulting in the unification of Crete with Greece.
Today, I challenge you to close your eyes and put yourselves in a time surrounded by chaos and hardships; a time
surrounded by fighting and confusion; a time when losing
a loved one was not just a tragedy, but the norm. I challenge
you to bear the burden of the memories of hardship, heartache and sacrifice as you remember and commemorate this
turning point in our resilient island’s history. I challenge
you to take a moment of silence and reflect. Think about
how many Cretans lost their homes, their loved ones, their
families, their lives. Think about how many Cretans spent
every day wondering with what means their family would
survive in the eyes of the dismal circumstances they faced.
Think about how many Cretans could not hide their looks
of sadness and despair as they wondered what further
struggles the coming day would bring.
Now think about your own life.
Eye-opening, isn’t it? We were given the opportunity
to live life in one of the greatest countries in the world
because of the countless sacrifices made by the Cretans
before us. This December, we are driven by the conviction to honor the people, our people, who made these
sacrifices, and commemorate the glory of our precious
island at the PAA 100 Year Anniversary Gala. Crete overcame the seemingly unconquerable obstacles with which
it was faced and joined Greece to become the breathtakingly beautiful place that it is today. I thank you all for
joining us here in New York to rise up in the eyes of this
victory to celebrate!
It goes without saying that the youth’s participation
in the Gala is crucial. We as the youth are the representation of the victory of the Enosi: the fact that we are
here today as an organization celebrating our roots and
rejoicing in our heritage shows that the sacrifices made
by the Cretans before us were worth something.
In support of the PAA, and the dedicated individuals who made this incredible celebration possible, PYA
members from across the country have gathered here
today to stand alongside the PAA to commemorate the
100 years. I am proud to say that the youth not only supports the mission of the PAA, but
also embodies the success of that
mission. I sincerely hope everyone enjoys the beautiful evening
made possible by the passion and
dedication of both the PAA Board
members, as well as the New York
chapter board members.
Thank you so much for your
continued support of the Pancretan Youth Association, as well
as the Pancretan Association of
America! K
Sincerely,
Katerina Makridakis
PYA President
PROGRAM
Our Youth: Representing the Victory of the Enosi
Demonstration or parade in Heraklion in
1908. The Greek flags allow the assumption
that this was a demonstration of the request
for union with Greece. On September 24,
1908, the Cretan government issued a
resolution whereby Crete united with Greece.
The photo may be associated with the mobilization of those days. (I.M.K. - E.K.I.M.)
KPHTH | WWW.PANCRETAN.ORG
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