Events in 2009
Honoring General Van Fleet and All Who Defended European, Greek Freedom
On June 21 in the northern Greek town of Kastoria, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and Consulate General Thessaloniki unveiled a new bronze bust of U.S. General James Van Fleet. The original bust of Van Fleet, a highly decorated veteran of WWI, WWII, the Greek Civil War and the Korean War, was erected in 1955 in Kastoria in recognition of Van Fleet’s role in preserving Greece’s freedom. AHEPA financed the project through private donations, with the support of the city of Kastoria, Van Fleet’s grandson, Joe McChristian, and the Consulate. A Greek WWII veteran who served with Van Fleet in Greece and in Korea gave a moving speech in which he thanked the United States for sending Van Fleet to Kastoria. CG Yee stated that the event honored not only Van Fleet but all Greeks and Americans who fought for Europe’s freedom in WWII and its aftermath.