The key word Friday at One Aurora Plaza was independence.
Raising the Greek flag, the latest in downtown Aurora, highlighted the relationship between Greek and American efforts for freedom.
The founders of the American Revolution and democracy used the teachings of ancient Greece as a model; When modern Greece fought for its independence in 1821, it took inspiration from American democracy.
“Humanity was created for freedom,” Father Pangaiotis Boznos of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora said Friday. “It is wrong to oppose oppression…”
Boznos and St. Athanasios Church were among those honored at the flag raising with the Optimum Participation in Aurora, or OPA, Excellence Awards, recognizing members of Aurora’s Greek-American community who have contributed to the city.
Alex Alexandrou, son of Greek immigrants, general manager of Aurora and former Fox Valley Park board member, also received awards; Ted and Kate Mesiacos, the 3rd Ward alderman and his wife, who contributed greatly to city organizations; and Hercules and Irene Panagopoulos, owners of the Hercules Gallery of Hair in downtown Aurora for 55 years.
Another OPA award was presented to Kelly Grigoropoulos Tsioupros, a teacher at Waldo Middle School, for her 23 years of service to the community. Aurora officials presented it to him in his classroom shortly after Friday’s ceremony.
Alexandrou said his parents and grandparents are “the embodiment of the American dream,” having left their home country to seek a better life in America. But he said the same story has happened all over the country, and quite often in Aurora.
The Greek community began to grow in the city from the mid-20th century.
“They make our city great,” Alexandrou said. “Their stories should never be forgotten. »
Mayor Richard Irvin read a mayoral proclamation for Greek Independence Day, which is March 25 and occurred 202 years ago. Mesiacos read a proclamation from the Illinois General Assembly recognizing Greek Independence Day in Aurora, which was presented by state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, Aurora’s 3rd Ward alderman before Mesiacos.
One Aurora Plaza became the site of flag-raising celebrations during Irvin’s administration, also recognizing Ireland, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Germany, LGBTQ Pride and Juneteenth, among others.
