Evzones delight elderly with visit to the Greek Community Home for the Aged

The Hellenic Presidential Guard (Evzones) offered a memorable visit to the residents of the Greek Community Home for the Aged successful Sydney, honouring the aged members of our assemblage with their presence. A sub-section of the 14-person delegation visited the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW’s Earlwood installation connected Wednesday afternoon, with implicit 100 residents and their household members successful attendance to spot them.

GOC NSW President Harry Danalis emphasised the value of having the Evzones be the Home, which cares for galore aged members of Sydney’s Hellenic community.

“I think it is an accidental for our residents and their families to beryllium capable to spot the Evzones firsthand,” Danalis told Neos Kosmos.

He noted the lawsuit arsenic a productive means of some showing the Evzones to radical who whitethorn not person seen them earlier arsenic well arsenic bringing an constituent of Greece to the residents

“A batch of them whitethorn person ne'er seen them successful Greece astatine the changing of the defender oregon astatine the different events they attend, so I think it is important to bring them here,” Danalis said.

“Our residents are each of Greek background, so I think this brings to them a small spot of the past of their country.”

Speaking connected behalf of the delegation, Lieutenant Ioannis Kontogiannis elaborated connected the past of the Evzones (which goes backmost to December 1868), their training and their uniforms and the value of them.

He stated that the intent of the Evzones’ instauration was to “provide a precocious level of subject training to those distinguished for their bravery and subject virtues, frankincense serving arsenic a relation exemplary for the remainder of the army”.

Kontogiannis highlighted that astir of the Evzones are volunteers drawn from the Hellenic Army’s Infantry Corps done a painstaking process.

He added that they service galore roles similar paying tribute to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and standing astatine the entranceway of the Presidential Mansion and astatine the gross of the barracks of the Presidential Guard.

“The Evzones’ uniform, with its agelong history, is an integral portion of our nationalist individuality and is inextricably linked to modern Greek history,” helium said, noting that it has been established arsenic the authoritative nationalist formal since Greece fought for its independency against the Ottoman Empire.

He finished with a punctuation by writer Kostis Palamas, stating:

“The Presidential Guard proudly continues the nationalist tradition of the Evzones, demonstrating the nation’s gratitude, paying tribute our fallen heroes and serving arsenic a reminder that the greatness of nations is not measured by onshore but by the strength of their hearts and by their blood.”

After Kontogiannis’ speech, Danalis presented him and Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos with gifts arsenic a small token of their appreciation for theirs and the Evzones’ visit.

The Evzones stood arsenic the galore attendees took photos with them.

The event, which was emceed GOC School Coordinator Vicki Tomaras, concluded with some airy refreshments.

Photos below:

(L to r) Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos, Lieutenant Ioannis Kontogiannis, Nia Karteris, Harry Danalis, Vicki Tomaras. Photo: Dimitri Kallos

Photo: Dimitri Kallos

The Evzones entering the Home. Photo: Dimitri Kallos

Photo: Dimitri Kallos

GOC NSW Board members with the Evzones. Photo: Dimitri Kallos

Residents and household successful attendance astatine the event. Photo: Dimitri Kallos