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From YouTube: Alpha Omega Marathon Wreath Ceremony
Description
Greek-Americans and members of the Greek consulate gather alongside the Boston Athletic Association for the 36th annual Alpha Omega Wreath Ceremony, held at the Massachusetts State House. The ceremony highlights the partnership between Greece and the BAA and honors marathon runners in advance of the big race on Monday.
A
Good
evening,
everyone,
hello
city,
said
that
welcome
to
the
2019
Boston
Marathon
wreath
ceremony
before
we
begin
the
program
this
evening,
I'd
like
to
take
a
moment
to
thank
the
Consulate
General
status
of
the
meal
and
his
entire
staff.
Alpha-Omega
president
Nick
epsilon
tez
education
committee,
chair
Nick,
cordis
and
the
entire
reach
ceremony
committee,
Peter,
Lamoni,
Asst
and
Tim
killed
off.
Thank
you
for
your
support
and
and
for
mentoring
me
throughout
the
planning
process.
C
B
Welcome
to
the
36th
annual
Boston
Marathon
wreath
ceremony,
members
of
the
Boston
Athletic
Association
will
be
presented
with
the
traditional
olive
wreaths
from
Greece
that
are
gilded
so
that
they
can
be
preserved
in
perpetuity
as
a
gift,
as
the
Consul
General
eloquently
put
it
from
the
first
democracy
in
ancient
Greece
to
Boston
the
Athens
of
America,
connecting
the
Boston
Marathon
and
the
ideals
of
democracy
and
liberty,
and
to
begin
the
ceremony
I'd
like
to
invite
Reverend
dr.
Demetrio
stoniest,
the
Dean
of
the
Greek
Orthodox
annunciation
cathedral
of
Boston.
To
give
the
invocation.
D
Honored
guests
and
supporters
of
this
most
respected
exhibition
of
human
endurance
are
offering
you
the
blessings,
prayers
and
best
wishes
of
his
eminence
metropolitan
Mathias
of
Boston.
As
we
stand
on
the
threshold
of
another
Boston
Marathon,
every
marathon
is
a
deeply
personal
endeavor.
It
involves
months
of
grueling,
physical
preparation
and
mental
training.
D
The
miles
test,
the
runners,
dedication
resolve
and
strength.
The
race
is
a
contest
not
so
much
against
other
runners,
as
it
is
against
an
athletes,
own
weaknesses,
doubts
and
abilities.
After
more
than
26
miles,
the
competition
becomes
not
just
about
winning
but
becomes
about
finishing
in
each
marathon.
D
We
see
ourselves
and
the
times
we
were
tested,
and
perhaps
the
times
when
we
stumbled
when
we
celebrate
with
the
first
runner,
who
crosses
the
finish
line
in
victory
and
marvel
at
the
last
learner
who
struggles
past
the
reviewing
stand
hours
later
in
this
we
see
the
rewards
in
life.
We
see
both
a
deserve.
An
outward
crown
of
the
winner
in
the
inner
olive
wreath,
adorning
the
spirit
of
determination
among
those
who
persevere,
who
overcome
adversity,
who
live
a
life
of
training,
a
life
of
struggle
and
never
lose
hope.
D
We
learn
and
relearn
the
crucial
lesson
that
honor
goes
to
those
who
look
to
the
finish
line,
not
to
the
runner
in
front
northern
runner
behind
the
marathon
is
for
all
of
us,
a
microcosm
of
our
lives,
and
this
is
why
it
is
so
special
not
only
to
Bostonians
and
Americans,
but
also
to
people
around
the
world.
Let
us
now
bow
our
heads
in
prayer.
D
We
give
thanks
to
you
eternal
God,
who
was
everywhere.
President
fills
all
things
who
governs
the
universe
and
ask
the
creator
of
all
that
is
visible
and
invisible.
We
pray
to
you
and
ask
of
you
look
with
kindness
on
your
servants
gathered
here
and
on
the
organizers
and
the
participants
of
this
great
race
of
the
Boston
Marathon
help
us
all
complete
the
race
of
this
life
and
honor,
and
virtue
and
guide
our
steps
in
every
good
work.
Protect
us
against
all
evil
influences
bestow
upon.
D
All
of
us,
the
crowns
of
your
glory
crowns
of
courage
and
faith,
crowns
of
wisdom
and
hope,
crowns
of
temperance
and
justice.
Crowns
of
love
may
the
virtuous
light
of
all
those
who
support
and
participate
in
this
race
shine
throughout
this
community
and
in
this
land
and
be
a
blessing
of
peace,
Concord
and
justice
to
all
who
behold
us
raise
for
this.
We
pray,
amen.
B
Thank
you.
Well,
as
we
know
it
all
starts
26.2
miles
from
here
in
the
town
of
Hopkinton
and
every
child.
There
is
well
educated
about
the
historic
importance
of
the
marathon
in
their
hometown.
Please
rise
as
the
Hopkinton
middle
school
chorus
will
sing
the
Greek
national
anthem
and
the
star-spangled
banner.
E
So
good
evening,
everybody
mayor
Walsh,
governor
Dukakis,
sheriff
Evangel
itis
council
general
FD
meal,
the
members
of
the
Boston
councilors
caught
President
O'leary
by
the
dock,
Reverend
dr.
Tanya's,
former
winners
here
or
joining
us
from
the
marathon
members
of
the
gibiatti
these
family.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
my
name
is
Nick
excel
anthis.
E
If
you
ever
got
that
by
now
and
I
have
the
honor
of
being
president
of
the
Alpha
Omega
council
and
for
thanking
you
all
for
joining
us
for
this
wonderful
event
this
evening,
I
want
to
extend
a
special
thank
you
to
a
legislative
sponsors
here
this
evening,
Senate
presidents,
Belka
speaker,
DeLeo,
senator
tom
representative
dico.
Of
course
thank
you
very
much
to
Paula,
Ebben
and
WBZ
Paula
for
emceeing,
and
thank
you
mark
lund
for
joining
us
this
evening
and
also
a
very
special
thank
you
to
a
council
general.
E
If
Camille,
who
has
worked
so
very
hard
this
evening,
this
this
building
up
to
this
event,
that's
amazing.
His
energy
level
is
off
the
charts.
I,
gotta
be
honest,
so
a
little
bit
about
Alpha,
Omega
council
and
our
involvement
in
this
wonderful
tradition,
Alpha,
Omega
Council,
is
an
organization
based
here
in
Boston.
Our
mission
is
fellowship
philanthropy
service
and
to
promote
the
ideals
of
Helena's
hellenism.
E
Our
involvement
that
this
tradition
began
back
in
1984
when
our
founder
Peter
Agra's
worked
with
then
governor
Dukakis
and
others,
and
the
council
general
I,
should
say
of
Greece
at
the
time
in
Boston
and
others
to
have
the
winners
briefs
presented
to
the
BAA
as
again
of
the
Greek
government.
We
are
so
very
proud
of
this
tradition
and
I
need
to
thank
the
automaker's
who
led
this
event.
John
kapelos
co-chair
many
a
call
all
right,
John,
Nick
quarters
I,
should
say
John
kapelos
the
chair
and
it
caught
us.
E
The
co-chair
Peter
Lamoni
Asst,
the
many
alpha
Megan's
who
have
joined
us
and
has
helped
through
this
event,
of
course,
Tim
kilduff
and,
of
course,
council
general
for
making
this
night
possible.
So
the
first
marathon
race
was
run
at
the
first
modern
Olympics
in
Greece
that
race
was
run
and
if
you've
got
these
little
thing.
These
little
pamphlets
here
they'll
tell
you
all
about
it.
This
is
a
great
thing.
E
It
was
run
from
marathon
Greece
to
Athens
in
tribute
of
The
Legend
of
Philippa
DS
after
the
Battle
of
Marathon
some
2,500
years
ago
got
a
year
later,
ba
effect.
Well,
baa
officials
attended
that
race
and
supported
several
runners
for
that
race,
but
the
next
year
in
1897,
the
vaa
posted
the
first
Boston
Marathon
on
Patriot's
Day
as
a
historical
acknowledgement
of
the
citizen
soldiers
who
fought
in
Marathon
Greece
and
in
Lexington
and
Concord.
E
The
Boston
Marathon
is
now
the
longest
continuously
running
athletic
event
in
the
world,
and
certainly
one
of
the
greatest
athletic
events
in
the
world
tonight.
The
goal
that
all
of
Greece
will
be
presented
to
the
BAA
by
the
Greek
government
tonight
is
also
the
combination
of
educational
efforts
related
to
this
marathon
working
with
the
council,
general
of
Greece
and
educators
in
the
public
schools
and
local
universities,
the
Museum
of
Fine
Arts,
our
state
legislatures,
as
well
as
nonprofits,
focusing
on
education
on
our
honor
for
our
youth
about
the
ancient
Greece.
E
We
helped
schoolchildren
understand
the
role
of
the
citizenship
played
in
preserving
Athens
and
Western
civilization
2,500
years
ago,
and
the
role
that
can
and
should
play
today,
I
offer
my
personal
gratitude
to
the
many
people
listening
that
program
that
were
handed
out
who
have
made
that
educational
effort
successful
again
this
year
so
for
Alpha
Omega.
This
ceremony
is
one
of
my
favorite
events
and
a
personal
favorite
of
mine.
E
However,
we
do
have
one
other
major
event:
it's
our
annual
Alpha
Omega
Honors
gala,
which
will
be
held
this
year
at
the
JFK
Library
on
November,
16th
and
I'm
pleased
to
announce
the
2019
dr.,
gamma
Haas,
who
is
the
chief
of
trauma
at
Massachusetts.
General
will
be
this.
She
does
lifetime
honoree
who,
by
the
way,
was
in
charge
of
the
trauma
and
ER
the
day
of
the
marathon
bombings
back
in
2013.
E
So
it's
a
very
historical
time
so
before
I,
close
I
just
wanted
to
recognize
two
individuals
running
this
year's
marathon
for
the
Alpha
Omega
they're
Claire
Blake
from
Australia
and
joythi
ready
Dondre
from
India
I
wish
them
luck
on
Monday.
More
importantly,
thank
you
all
for
being
here
after
the
program
please
enjoy
the
food
and
beverages
provided
by
Saloniki
restaurants
and
yannis
distributing
and
enjoy
the
evening.
Of
course,
thank
you.
F
Thank
you
very
much
and
I
want
to
think
welcome.
All
of
you
here
to
the
Statehouse.
It's
an
honor
to
be
here
with
the
consul
general
I
spent
some
time
with
him.
The
other
day
we
had
a
dinner,
the
president
of
the
Alpha
Omega.
Thank
you,
the
VA
a
trauma
and
dr.
O'leary.
Thank
you
very
much
as
well,
and
all
the
staff
of
the
VA
a
governor.
It's
great
to
see
you
here
in
Kitty.
Thank
you
very
much
for
being
here,
as
well
in
say,
represented
Carolyn.
F
Take
him
I,
know
she's
here,
I
want
to
thank
I
share
with
Carolyn
the
House
of
Representatives
and
she's
she's,
a
great
advocate
and
a
strong
supporter
of
not
just
a
marathon,
but
a
lot
of
the
different
programs
here
in
the
Commonwealth
and
my
former
colleague
as
well,
who,
in
lieu
of
in
July
that's
the
sheriff
he
went
on
to
sheriff
I
went
on
Sameer,
so
I
think
we
did
all
right
all
right
to
all
the
students
here.
Thank
you
for
being
here
all
these
young
people
and
then
the
beautiful
performance.
F
The
reason
why
I'm
here
today
is
to
is
to
bring
greetings
in
the
city
of
Boston,
but
also
just
talk
a
little
bit
about
the
relationship
with
the
Greek
community
and
the
contributions
that
are
incredible
to
Boston
in
the
world.
The
Greeks
invented
democracy
and
philosophy
is
almost
everyone
in
this
room
knows
that
Greek
Americans
have
led
the
way
in
religious
religion
and
in
science
and
sports
and
music
and
the
liske
in
politics,
and
the
list
continues
to
go
on.
Boston
has
very
special
connections
to
Greece.
It's
already
been
said.
F
We
are
known
as
the
Athens
of
America.
Each
year
we
host
the
New
England
Greek
Independence
Day
parade,
which
is
not
too
far
from
here
on
Boylston
Street
and
this
year.
I
think
it
was
the
biggest
crowd
we've
ever
had.
It
was
absolutely
amazing
on
Boylston,
Street
and
and
of
course,
the
Boston
Marathon
is
reeded
in
Greek
history
in
tradition.
The
marathon
is
one
of
our
most
beloved
events
that
happened
in
our
city
every
single
year.
It
was
said
early,
it's
the
oldest
annual
marathon
in
the
world
123
years.
F
We're
proud
of
that
and
it's
a
day
that
we
open
our
arms
and
Hawks
to
athletes
not
just
from
Boston
but
from
the
entire
world
that
come
to
run
the
entire
26.2
miles,
which
is
amazing.
It's
part
of
the
legacy
of
being
a
beacon
of
hope
for
the
world
in
recent
years.
As
we
all
know,
the
marathon
has
stood
for
more
since
2013.
We
have
turned
the
marathon
into
a
movement,
it's
a
daily.
F
We
show
what
we're
made
of
we're
resilience
and
hope
on
April
15th
is
one
called
one
Boston
day
here,
it's
a
citywide
day
of
service,
and
it's
a
day
we
remember
those
we
lost
and
we're
also
going
to
have
permanent
markers
on
Boylston
Street
you're,
not
going
to
see
the
the
lights
that
are
gonna,
be
there,
but
the
markers
are
there
on
Boylston
Street.
So
we'll
never
forget
the
resilience,
not
just
of
of
the
city
of
Boston,
but
it
was
rooted
also
in
the
runners
running
down
Boylston
Street
in
every
single
year.
F
From
that
point
on
the
Alpha
Omega
Association
is
a
great
organization
that
helps
athletes
elevate.
These
values
I
want
to
thank
you
for
that.
You
played
an
important
role
on
the
marathon
in
recent
years:
you've
added
an
education
component
and
empowering
young
people
to
be
part
of
the
history
and
we're
excited
about
that
as
well.
Thank
you
for
that.
I
want
to
thank
and
congratulate
again
all
the
students
that
are
here
helping
us
tell
stories
with
your
wonderful
essays.
The
marathon
is
a
time
when
the
connections
between
our
countries
shine
the
brightest.
F
Today
such
a
special
day,
it
is
the
official
kickoff
I
guess
if
you
will
of
marathon
weekend
and
I
know
that
I
look
forward
to
presenting
the
the
reach
to
the
champions,
but
every
single
person,
as
they
come
down,
Boylston
Street
that
cross
that
finish
line
in
all
of
our
eyes
a
champion.
So
if
you're
running
good
luck
and
congratulations.
B
G
Mayor
of
Boston
members
of
Massachusetts
state,
Senate
and
House
representatives
of
the
consulate
corpse
governor
of
the
caucus.
Instead,
like
his
sheriff
evangelist
father
Tonia's
honorable
guests,
it
is
an
honor
to
have
you
here
with
us,
as
I
was
reflecting
on
the
meaning
of
today's
ceremony.
My
thoughts
went
to
two
individuals.
The
first
is
a
new
friend
of
mine
of
our
community.
His
name
is
Nam
Phan,
a
Vietnamese
refugee
to
the
United
States,
who
rose
through
the
ranks
of
Massachusetts
Senate
government
to
become
assistant
secretary
of
business
development
and
trade.
G
Nomcom
was
at
the
Consulate
General
of
Greece
last
Friday,
and
he
offered
remarks
on
the
occasion
of
our
Independence
Day,
and
he
moved
me
tremendously
when
he
said
that
Greece
for
him
is
and
will
always
be,
the
country
that
has
provided
human
treatment
to
refugees
and
also
the
country
that
gave
birth
to
the
ideas
of
freedom
of
democracies
in
democracy.
Dear
friends,
I
feel
very
privileged
to
serve
here
in
Boston
enough
from
the
Athens
of
America
Greece,
the
cradle
of
ideas
of
philosophy,
democracy,
dialogue,
ethics,
drama
politics.
G
I
would
like
to
recognize
governor,
Dukakis
and
Kitty
who
governor
Dukakis
as
governor
in
1994,
took
the
steps
to
initiate.
This
is
a
beautiful
tradition
and
he
was
a
little
boy
when
he
was
still
an
auskey
bikinis
winning
the
1946
marathon
I.
Think
mayor
Walsh
for
his
stewardship
of
this
unique
city,
which
has
played
such
an
important
role
in
the
political
and
constitutional
history
of
the
United
States.
G
Today,
dear
friends,
we
connect
the
Boston
Marathon
to
its
roots
and
when
we
reflect
to
this
on
this
exercise,
exercise
of
human
resilience
and
determination.
My
mind
goes
to
a
second
individual,
the
1946
Marathon
winner,
still
a
nose
kiri
Achilles,
a
legendary
athlete
whose
goal
was
to
win
the
Boston
Marathon.
G
In
order
to
draw
the
world's
attention
to
the
condition
of
Greece
after
World
War
two,
he
was
physically
weak
from
the
family,
despite
the
doctors
warning
here
on,
and
not
only
here
on,
but
here
on,
aqui
Warren,
and
in
doing
so
he
became
the
first
charitable
runner,
an
athlete
who
ran
for
a
Cause
bigger
than
himself
his
act
inspired
the
world
and
created
generations.
Retired
runners.
His
individual
example
of
peer
Achilles
is
powerful
because
it
saw
was
the
rain,
but
the
single
citizen
can
make
in
a
democracy.
G
B
G
H
F
I
Thank
you
very
much.
It's
a
real
honor
for
me
to
be
here
representing
the
BAA.
This
is
a
extraordinary
tradition,
governor
Dukakis,
a
great
pleasure
to
see
you
mayor,
Walsh,
consul
esteem.
You,
president
of
salon,
teez.
Thank
you
very
much
for
inviting
us
of
the
many
enduring
symbols
that
Greece
has
given
the
world.
I
I
The
other
half
of
the
story,
which
is
more
intriguing,
is
that
Apollo
was
enamored
of
the
River
nymph
Daphne,
whose
father
was
laid
on
the
river
god,
and
then
there
was
this
guy
eros
in
between
was
known
as
Cupid
in
the
Roman
tradition
and
Apollo
had
great
disdain
for
eros,
because
he
was
a
little
guy
and
he
shot
arrows.
Paolo
was
a
big
guy
and
he
shot
arrows
too,
but
with
much
more
meaning,
at
least
as
far
as
he
was
concerned.
So
arrows
always
had
this
thing
for
Apollo
and
determined
to
get
even
with
him.
I
So
he
shot
Apollo
with
a
golden
arrow
to
instill,
burning
desire
for
Daphne
and
he
shot
Daphne
with
the
lead
arrow
to
cause
revulsion
of
Apollo.
Most
you
Greeks
should
know
this
story.
It's
it's
wonderful
mythology,
so
Apollo
relentlessly
pursued
Daphne,
who
equally
relentlessly
opposed
his
pursuit.
Until
finally,
she
got
so
tired
of
it
that
she
asked
her
father
laid
on
to
turn
her
into
a
tree,
which
is
what
happened.
I
To
extend
this
tradition
of
the
laurel
wreath,
which
will
be
awarded
to
the
winners
on
Monday
and,
as
was
said
earlier,
I
think
all
of
the
people
who
crossed
the
finish
line
on
Monday
our
winners,
and
maybe
particularly
so
this
Monday,
because
we're
expecting
another
day
of
potentially
difficult
weather,
but
we
know
our
athletes
are
prepared
and
they'll
get
through
it,
but
I.
Thank
you
for
this
great
opportunity.
In
this
wonderful
tradition.
It's
always
one
of
the
highlights
of
the
year
to
begin
the
marathon
weekend.
Thank
you.
J
By
Governor
mr.
Muir
Michael
I'm
gonna
go
off-script,
you
you'll
keep
them
out
of
trouble,
I
mean
you
took
me
into
trouble,
but
you
know
a
couple
of
years
ago.
You
know
what
happened
in
Boston,
the
Boston
Athletic
Association
Association
did
exactly
what
they
should
have
done.
They
paid
attention
to
the
race
and
returned
it
to
not
only
to
its
strengths,
but
it's
far
exceeded
that
the
the
chief
executive
officer
of
the
Boston
Athletic
Association
is
here
he's
going
to
be
very
upset
with
me,
but
he
deserves
around
the
repose
and
that's
Tom
grow.
J
J
Mark
London
is
a
believer
in
community.
Yes,
he
knows
how
to
deliver
the
news.
Yes,
he
knows
how
to
deliver
programming
but,
most
importantly,
he
understands
the
importance
of
community.
This
particular
symbol
mark
is
from
an
olive
tree
in
Marathon
Greece,
it's
an
actual
real
living
thing,
that's
been
processed
and
then
dipped
in
24,
karat
gold,
but
I
want
you
to
know
a
little
something
about
wbz's
Boston
Marathon
coverage.
J
Snow
so
get
on
the
court
get
out
in
the
course
watch.
The
runners
come
by,
but
TV
for
CBS
for
Monday
the
best
place
to
watch
the
Boston
Marathon
mark
on
behalf
of
the
Consul
General
of
Greece
in
the
alpha-omega
Council.
I'm
really
pleased
to
be
able
to
and
privileged
to
be
able
to
present
this
olive
branch
from
marathon
Greece
to
you
and
to
WBZ
for
your
your
community
spirit.
C
You
know
I
could
just
say
a
quick
word.
Tim
I
want
to
say
thank
you
for
everything
you
do
and
the
spotters
Network
does
to
provide
us
with
all
that
information
throughout
the
race
coverage.
It's
amazing
what
you
and
your
team
do.
I
certainly
also
want
to
thank
my
good
friend,
Tom,
grilka
CEO
of
the
BAA
and
and
really
dr.
Michael
O'leary
and
the
entire
BAA
board,
for
the
trust
that
they
put
into
us
to
cover
this.
C
You
know
the
race,
it's
just
an
amazing,
honor
and
amazing
privilege,
and
you
know
to
be
able
to
tell
all
these
stories
of
perseverance
and
resilience
and
triumph.
It's
something
that
we
take
very
seriously
and
we're
going
to
have.
You
know
over
a
hundred
people
out
there
in
the
rain
covering
the
race
again
on
Monday,
and
it's
really
truly
a
labor
of
love,
so,
on
behalf
of
everybody
at
WBZ.
C
I
just
want
to
thank
you
very
much
and
tell
you
how
appreciative
we
are
and
I've
actually
been
to
Greece
I've
been
to
Santorini
and
then
to
Mykonos
and
what
a
special
Athens
and
what
a
special
and
amazing
country
Greece
is
and
I
hope
to
get
back
there
someday.
So
thank
you
and
good
luck
to
everybody.
K
Just
project
okay,
so
we'll
skip
this
well
good
evening.
Everyone,
my
name,
is
Nick
cordis
of
the
Alpha
Omega
Council
and
I
would
like
to
introduce
the
winners
of
the
2019
marathon
essay
competition
since
2013
the
Alpha
Omega
council,
in
concert
with
the
Greek
consulate
of
Boston,
has
chaired
a
committee
all
named
in
your
program
to
present
to
middle
school
students,
the
importance
of
ancient
Greek
history
and
especially
of
the
Battle
of
Marathon.
K
This
initiative
organizes
educational
activities
such
as
classroom
presentations
by
university
classics
and
political
science
professors,
and
this
year
over
26
classroom
visits
by
the
Museum
of
Fine
Arts
on-site
school
outreach
program.
Just
before
tonight's
ceremony,
representative
Carolyn
died,
coma
and
the
office
of
senate
president
karen
spelke
met
with
these
students
and
their
families
for
a
special
State
House
tour.
Our
goal
here
is
to
spark
interest
in
questions
like
how
did
the
ancient
Athenians
understand
their
citizenship?
K
How
is
it
similar
and
different
from
our
understanding
of
citizenship
in
America
today,
professor
J
Simmons
of
Boston
University,
was
one
of
our
speakers
wrote
something
very
interesting
in
his
book.
What's
wrong
with
democracy,
an
Athenian
practice
to
American
worship?
Professor
Salmons
thesis
is
that
in
America
too
often
we
worship
democracy,
but
we
do
not
think
about
it
and
we
do
not
practice
it
enough.
We
assume
we
will
always
have
a
democracy
when
most
of
the
people
in
the
world
do
not.
K
When
Athenians
voted
to
go
to
war,
to
defend
their
democracy
against
the
Persians,
they
were
voting
to
send
themselves
to
war,
their
brothers,
their
fathers,
their
sons.
Are
we
fully
participating
as
citizens
in
the
war,
indecision
war
and
peace'
decisions
that
are
being
made
in
our
country
today?
What
are
the
obligations
of
citizenship
in
addition
to
the
rights
of
citizenship?
What
kind
of
democracy
do
we
want?
The
earlier,
our
young
people
wrestle
with
these
questions.
K
K
Each
of
our
essayist
will
receive
a
wreath
award:
crafted
in
Greece
a
certificate
signed
by
the
Consul
General
of
Greece
in
Boston,
a
book
published
by
the
consulate
with
wonderful
photos
of
Greece
taken
by
the
famous
American
photographer
Robert
McCabe,
and
a
personally
signed
copy
of
the
book
running
with
Philippa
Dee's,
the
story
of
Steve
Janos
kiriakidis,
the
marathon
miracle
that
was
written
by
her
own
Bostonians
here,
Nixie
Otis
and
Andy
de
Billis
and
I
think
Nick,
C,
Otis
I
think
I
saw
a
nick
in
the
room.
Nick
are
you
here.
K
This
is
Nick
Thank
You
Nick
for
writing
that
wonderful
book
and
continuing
that
legacy
for
all
of
us.
They
have
so
consul-general.
If
team
you
and
I
will
greet
our
students
and
present
them
with
their
awards
students.
You
should
be
proud
of
the
effort
you
made
to
research
and
write
this
essay
worthy
of
special
recognition.
We
hope
this
is
the
first
of
many
awards
you
receive,
as
you
continue
your
studies
so
I'm
going.
B
K
H
K
Okay,
I
go
right
up
against
the
mic;
it
will
work
good,
okay,
thank
you!
Well,
I'm,
gonna
call
each
student
up
by
alphabetical
name
and
I'm
gonna.
Ask
you
to
come
in,
acknowledge
and
reward
to
acknowledge
and
reward
your
outstanding
efforts.
So
let's
please
hold
our
applause
until
all
of
the
students
have
been
called
I'm,
also
going
to
say
it
just
a
little
bit
about
each
student
they're,
interesting,
okay,
so
our
first
winner
is
Alexander
cash-in
from
Ashland
middle
school.
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
K
G
K
K
Ruh-Oh
has
always
loved
debate
in
writing.
Statements
for
classroom
conversations,
she's
interested
in
either
writing
or
law
school.
She
loves
creating
stories
like
the
ones
in
Greek
mythology,
but
at
the
same
time
the
civil
and
criminal
cases
I
read
about
in
real
life
are
very
interesting.
They
seem
like
classing
clashing
aspirations,
writing
and
law,
but
for
now
I
think
I
will
pick
the
occupation
of
a
lawyer.
L
Maybe
I
can
grab
the
mic,
it'll
be
a
little
bit
easier,
consul-general
the
Alpha
Omega
Council
governor
Dukakis,
distinguished
guests.
Thank
you
so
much
for
joining
us
today
on
this
really
special
day,
and
you
know,
I
figured
I
might
get
this
out
of
the
way.
Since
a
lot
of
you
wondering
Mike
when
I
am
six
I
stated.
Taser
is
a
primary
Comerica,
but
I
also
stand
here
today
at
six
feet.
Seven
inches
tall
so
and
I
am
taller
than
governor
Baker.
L
If
you
were
wondering
they
say
he
often
says
I
remind
him,
but
you
know
as
we
we
got
a
chance
to
hear
about
the
greatness
of
what
we're
celebrating
today.
As
I
says,
a
proud
read
the
great
heritage
of
the
Greek
people.
We
are
very,
very
proud
of
our
heritage
and
the
ideas
of
democracy
and
philosophy,
and
music
and
literature,
and
all
the
greatness
and
governor
Dukakis
here,
and
we
even
have
an
NBA
player.
L
The
Greek
freak
now
and
we've
got
a
lot
a
lot
to
be
proud
of,
but
the
legacy
of
today
and
the
marathon
is
one
of
the
great
legacies
of
the
Greek
culture
that
we
are
so
proud
of
to
give
in
to
the
world
and
the
Boston
Marathon
is.
We
are
here
today
to
celebrate
him
and
as
someone
who
grew
up
in
that
culture,
I
always
wanted
to
be
able
to
run
the
Boston.
L
Marathon
and
I
had
a
chance
to
do
it
on
two
different
occasions
and
as
many
people
would
say
to
me,
how
did
you
do
I
always
said?
I
always
won
the
six
feet,
seven
inch
and
over
platic,
because
not
at
all
averse
has
ever
passed
me
in
a
marathon,
so
I'm
proud
of
that.
That's
like
victory.
I
have.
But
the
marathon
itself
is
such
an
incredible
legacy
for
any
of
you
who
have
run
in
it.
L
I
just
want
to
say
that
it's
one
of
the
most
special
moments
of
my
life
to
be
in
that
marathon
to
be
with
those
people
to
have
that
incredible
feeling
of
joy
and
when
that
event
happened
in
2013
I'll
tell
you
what
anybody
who'd
been
in
the
race
to
all
of
us
as
a
community.
We'll
never
forget
the
feeling
we
had,
but
what
it
really
showed
at
the
end
of
the
day
is
that
Boston
is
bigger
than
anybody
could
do
to
us.
L
They
could
never
take
the
spirit
of
that
great
marathon
away
from
us
and
that's
the
joy
that
this
event
continues
to
bring
to
us
as
a
people
and
as
a
greek-american,
we're
very,
very
proud
to
have
that
prominent
role.
As
we
all
know,
we
were
growing
up
or
always
told
the
story
of
the
Dippet
ease
and
him
winning
him
running
to
bring
the
news
of
the
victory
over
the
Persians
to
the
people
of
Athens.
We're
often
reminded
if
it
was
not
for
that
victory.
L
It's
quite
possible
to
the
greatness
of
democracy
that
we
celebrate
and
treasure
in
America
today
may
not
even
exist
in
the
form
it
exists.
But
for
that
connection,
so
I
just
want
to
say
thank
you
for
giving
me
opportunity
to
to
address
you
today.
Thank
you
for
joining
us,
and
this
marathon
means
a
lot
to
this
community
and
we
are
very
proud,
as
Greek
Americans,
to
have
our
role
in
it,
as
so
many
other
things.
Thank
you
very,
very
much.
M
M
Have
an
apology
to
make
to
order
chili
and
I
always
walk
on
that
Independence
Day
for
rape,
and
it
was
Sunday,
as
all
of
you
know,
difficult
though
it
is
in
December,
we
drag
ourselves
out
of
New
England
and
I
teach
it
UCLA
in
Los
Angeles.
It's
a
tough
thing
to
do,
but
somebody's
gonna
do
it,
and
this
was
our
24th
winter
quarter
out
there
we
came
back
on
Saturday
only
to
discover
at
Los
Angeles
Airport.
Then
our
flight
has
been
canceled.
M
M
So
we
can
do
that
parade
because
we
always
have
a
wonderful
time,
it's
great,
to
be
here
with
Kitty
and
to
join
and
was
a
very,
very
special
celebration
and
I'm
very
grateful
to
the
mayor,
woody
you
and
so
many
others
Tim
who's
working
hard
on
a
museum
that
will
celebrate
this
event
on
a
permanent
basis.
I
hope
will
help
him
to
do
that.
It's
it's
a
terrific
undertaking,
so
many
of
you
would
come
here.
This
is
a
very
special
day
for
Kitty
and
me,
and
some
have
even
heard
this
story.
M
It's
well
worth
telling
again
we
were
both
broke
lying
kids.
I
was
a
senior
my
nights
when
she
was
a
freshman
I
wasn't
interested
in
freshmen
women
and
I
was
very
interested
in
one
of
my
fellow
seniors
who
years
later
introduced
us
and
is
one
of
our
dearest
friends.
But
I
was
a
pretty
good
athlete.
I
loved
history
I
knew
about
my
deputies
when
I
was
about
six
and
that
wonderful
story
and
when
I
was
12.
Some
of
you
story
before
when
I
was
12.
I
was
in
Kenmore
Square
with
Johnny
Kelly
in
Seattle.
M
We
were
all
excited
waiting
for
him.
He
made
the
mistake
of
buying
a
new
pair
of
shoes,
got
blisters
and
had
to
drop
out
at
the
16th
mile
and
I
was
then
and
remember.
I
was
just
a
little
kid
owns
what
four
down
at
the
Lenox
hotel.
We
were
waiting
for,
Keaney
geez.
Where
is
he?
Where
is
he
finally
get
out
of
a
cab.
M
These
was
better
than
Rosie
Ruiz,
but
next
time
you're
on
the
riverfront
folks
get
a
pair
of
shoes
a
well
broken
in,
but
it
was
an
ambition
of
so
many
of
us
and
I
was
senior
put
my
night
school
I'd
run
cross-country
and
my
buddy
buz
Wiseman,
but
I
decided
that
this
was
probably
the
last
time
we're
gonna
be
able
to
run
this
thing
because
he
was
going
away
to
school
and
I
was
going
away
at
school.
So
we've
been
running
in
our
senior
year
now
we
had
to
adjust
our
age
a
little
bit.
M
M
Everybody
had
300
runners
today,
it's
what
3,000
you
get
a
quality
so
out,
we
go
to
the
Parkinson
and
the
international
runners
were
just
beginning
to
come
to
the
Boston
Marathon
in
numbers,
and
there
were
four
Japanese
runners
and
we're
sitting
there:
kind
of
waiting
for
the
race
to
start
and
they're,
doing
wind,
sprints
up
and
down
the
road,
but
we're
in
pretty
good
shape.
We've
had
a
good
cross-country
season,
I
played
basketball.
If
you
can
believe
it,
you
must.
M
So
we've
got
to
hop
in
with
300
other
people
and
start
running,
and
we
were
doing
pretty
well
I
mean
we
averaged
at
650
miles
in
first
ten
miles
wave
to
all
the
wells,
and
girls
were
all
that
kind
of
stuff,
but
by
the
time
we
got
to
the
Newton
Hills
I
began
to
feel
a
little
bit
and
part
of
the
problem.
Folks
was
that
we
knew
nothing
about
exercise,
science
and
weed.
You
never
drank
water
very
fast
country
much,
but
that
was
two
and
a
half
miles.
By
the
time
we
got
to
the
Newton.
M
Hills
I
was
really
getting
the
Thursday
and
somebody
handed
me
half
of
ours.
It
was
the
most
delicious
orange
meditational,
but
then
it
developed
a
terrible
searched
and
but
the
sonam
we
got
to
Beacon
Street
in
Brooklyn,
where
half
the
high
school
was
out
waiting
for
us,
I
was
dying
of
thirst
and
in
those
days
sorry
about
these
stores.
You
get
to
be
in
your
a
TV
stand,
telling
a
lot
of
stories
we
used
to
have
drug
stores
with
soda
phones
and
it's
half.
M
M
M
M
We
make
sure
they
do,
and
one
of
the
things
that
I
hope
will
remember
is
history.
You
know
the
Greeks
have
been
all
saying
possible.
Matthew
things
happen,
we're
supposed
to
learn
from
it.
That's
why
we
study
history
and
we
were
very
lucky
to
have
Stevie
Adams
kidioki
these
with
us
in
1946
I.
Don't
know
how
many
of
you
know
what
happened
here.
He
was
a
Cypriot
that
had
moved
his
family
to
Athens
and
he
and
his
family
lived
through
the
occupation.
M
It
was
a
very
strong
Greek
resistance,
as
all
of
us
know,
and
the
Nazis
in
retaliation
for
resistance
attacks
on
Sundays
would
swoop
down
in
a
particular
neighborhood
in
Athens,
send
the
women
and
children
home
pick
up
all
the
men
bring
him
into
custody
and
hang
them
in
the
afternoon.
So
Greeks
coming
to
work
the
following
day.
We
see
these
folks
and
kidioki.
This
was
one
of
the
men
that
was
picked
up.
M
Fortunately,
he
had
his
identification
card
for
the
1936
Olympics
we
should
remember,
was
celebrated
in
Berlin
and
when
he
was
being
questioned
by
a
German
officer,
told
to
take
all
of
his
possessions
and
throw
him
out
in
front
of
me
on
the
table
in
front
of
that
cart
was
one
of
the
things
that
happen
to
be
out
there
and
the
German
officer
picked
it
up
and
said.
What's
this
he
said
well,
I,
remember
the
Greek
marathon
team
1936
and
that
was
my
office.
M
M
Finally
I
think
was
George
Demeter,
who
was
a
Republican
state
representative
from
the
Back
Bay,
who
was
with
him
and
said
I'll
vouch
for
him,
and
he
began
running
and
running
that
historic
race
and
just
as
he
came
down,
Beacon
Street
from
Brooklyn
crossing
the
Boston.
Of
course,
there
was
no
TV
folks
of
no
transistor
radios
in
I
know
nothing.
So
all
of
us
want
to
know
who
is
it?
Who
is
it?
M
Who's
leading
and
the
word
came
down
Kelly
in
the
Greek
Kelly
in
the
Greek
and
just
as
they
went
through
Kenmore
Square
Keke's
moved
out
to
about
a
10
yard,
lead
in
front
of
John
Kelly
finished
that
racing
and
won
I.
Don't
have
considered
the
Greek
communities
Jets
beside
itself,
and
he
stayed
in
the
United
States
for
several
months
and
went
back
with
billions
of
dollars
with
relief
supplies
for
a
grease
that
was
starving
at
the
time
because
of
the
conditions
that
they
had
to
live
through
during
at
terrible
and
that's
the
occupation.
M
Quite
a
history,
a
great
tradition
and
one
that
I
hope
we
as
Greek
Americans,
will
take
very
seriously
one
of
the
things
that
I'm
concerned
about
these
days
and
I'll
finish
up
with
us:
I'm,
not
seeing
enough
young
Greek
Americans
getting
deeply
and
actively
involved
in
politics
in
this
country.
Well,
we
had
about
four
or
five
reach
to
the
legislature
and
that's
true.
Nationally.
We've
got
a
history
and
a
tradition
to
be
proud
of
in
to
uphold
and
I
was
a
little
concerned.
M
Love
the
awards,
love
these
folks
that
do
these
essays
a
few
too
many
want
to
be
lawyers
and
not
enough
who
want
to
be
public
service,
so
I
hope.
One
of
the
things
that
we
will
do
inspired
by
this
by
this
gathering
here
and
by
this
great
race
is
to
encourage
young
Greek
Americans,
yet
deeply
and
actively
involved
in
the
politics
of
their
community
in
state
of
the
country.
M
We're
trying
to
do
that
in
our
own
family,
kitty
and
I
have
eight
grandkids
of
our
own,
and
for
that
we
inheritance
we
got
50.
We
got
12
of
them
well,
I'm
just
had
his
15th
birthday.
His
name
is
Peter.
Dukakis,
keep
your
eye
on
he's
a
great
student
he's
a
hell
of
a
hockey
player
in
Newton
and
he's
very,
very
politically.
B
Baa,
we
won't
tell
the
I-team
so
I've
never
heard
them,
there's
plenty
of
time
for
you
to
take
photos
with
the
reeds
which
will
be
up
here
on
on
the
stage
and
please
enjoy
the
reception,
as
has
been
mentioned
before
Greek
food
supplied
by
local
restaurants.
My
favorite
food
don't
tell
my
Irish
relatives
that
and
thanks
so
much
for
being
here.
We
wish
all
of
you
a
wonderful
Marathon
Monday
stay
dry
and
if
you're
inside
the
rain
watch
the
race
on
WBZ
TV
we'll
see
you
Monday.
Thank
you.