George Jarvis Commemorated for Role in Greek War of Independence
” width=”1000″>The Battle of Messolonghi, in which the great philhellene George Jarvis participated. By zographos Makryannis. Credit: Panagiotis Zographos /Public Domain
A churchyard in Argos, Mycenae was the site where the life of one of the most notable philhellenes of them all, George Jarvis, was commemorated on July 27.
Along with fellow American James Williams, Jarvis has a memorial stone dedicated there which tells of his exploits in the Greek War of Independence, in which he gave his life for the cause of freedom for the Greek people.
” width=”1080″>He fought so that, as the famed philhellene Lord Byron wrote in his famous poem The Isles of Greece “…Greece might still be free.” Jarvis has the distinction of being the very first American to join Greece’s fight for freedom.
Yiannis Gounaris is, at least in the popular consciousness, an obscure figure of the Greek Revolution of 1821.
Hailing from Ioannina, he was employed by Omer Vryoni as his official hunter and accompanied him to Missolonghi, which was besieged by Vryoni in 1822. Unable to overcome the town’s defences, Vryoni resolved on a night attack during Christmas, when it was expected that the defending Greeks would be at their most vulnerable. Overhearing the Ottomans discussing the plan, Gounaris was faced with a dilemma. His wife and children were being held hostage for his good behaviour in Arta. Should he keep quiet, thus maintaining his family in safety, or should he find a way to alert the besieged Greeks of their ultimate doom? Ultimately, he chose the latter. When the Ottomans sprung their “surprise” attack, the Greeks were waiting for them. The attack was repulsed and Missolonghi stood, only to fall four years later.
Without a global revolution in the sphere of human consciousness nothing can change for the better
and catastrophe will be unavoidable.
The last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking.
The first time of my Life that I had ever wished for the Talents and Eloquence of the ancient Orators of Greece and Rome
I was very sure that none of them ever had before him a question of more Importance to his Country and to the World.
While you live shine, have no grief at all, for life exists but for awhile, and time demands it’s due.
Fair Greece! Sad relic of departed worth! Immortal, though no more; though fallen, great.
Senate Introduces Resolution on 200 Years from Greek War of Independence
Credit: Pxfuel
Philhellene U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey), the new Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution commemorating the Bicentennial of Greek Independence Day, which will occur on March 25, 2021.
The resolution, which was co-sponsored by Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) commemorates the two nations’ commitment to democracy as well as their firm partnership and warm history of friendship.
“Standing with Greek-Americans” in commemorating Greek Bicentennial
Senator Menendez, a longtime friend of Greece and a proponent of Greek national interests, stated at the resolution’s introduction: “It is with great pride that I stand with Greek Americans in New Jersey and across the country in celebrating a momentous anniversary: Greece’s 200th Independence Day.
The Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democrat Senator Bob Menendez, at the US Capitol building in Washington DC, earlier this month. With Republican Senator John Barrasso, he introduced a resolution acknowledging Greece’s 200 years of independence and the strong relationship between the US and Greece in history. Photo: Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA
9 February 2021 3:15pm
Democrats and Republican senators in a rare display of non-partisanship introduced a resolution to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence that will be celebrated on March 25.
The resolution also celebrated Greek and US commitment to democracy as well as the long partnership and friendship between the two nations.