By Eleftherios Kostans
Philadelphia, PA – In less than two months, the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley will host the 194 Greek Independence Day Parade (March 22, 2015). The parade will commence on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on 16th Street at the Art Museum Circle. Formation will begin at 1:00 pm and start at 2:00 pm.
This year, the Federation Of Hellenic Societies has chosen as it’s theme, to bring awareness to rebuilding St. Nicholas National Shrine at Ground Zero. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is a Greek Orthodox Church that stood across Liberty Street from the World Trade Center in New York City, USA. It was destroyed in the September 11 attacks in 2001, when the South Tower collapsed. It was the only building not part of the World Trade Center complex to be immediately destroyed by the attacks.
Honorary Marshals, George and Zoe Kousloulis will lead the parade in honor of their daughter Danielle Kousoulis, who was lost at 9/11. While Grand Marshals, the Honorable Bob Brady (1st congressional district of PA) and the Honorable Mike Fitzpatrick (8th congressional district of PA) will also join in the historic day.
Sixty-two organizations, churches and societies, from around the metropolitan area (and even as far as Baltimore and New York) will be joined by dignitaries at the parade which commemorates Greek Independence day. The annual event has grown in recent years and now boasts an annual “Eleftheria Medal” given on the evening before the big event to a Hellene or Philhellene. The event will conclude with an afternoon of dancing and poems being performed at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox church in Upper Darby, PA.