April 18, 2013
U.S President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joseph Biden with Archbishop Demetrios at a White House celebration for Greek Independence Day on April 18.
At a ceremony that was both solemn and celebratory, coming in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings that killed three people – and after President Barack Obama had just returned from a memorial service there – the White House hosted 200 Greek-Americans on April 18 to note the March 25 anniversary of Greek Independence Day and freedom from Ottoman Occupation. The Greek spirit and culture was praised throughout as well as its gifts to the world of freedom and democracy, while the importance of the Diaspora’s role in American life was also noted. Obama said that Greek-Americans were the mirror of America and stressed their achievements as immigrants and their successors who rose to the highest levels. Vice-President Joseph Biden was also there. The ceremony was characterized as a prayer of healing, a memorial service to the three people killed in the explosions and for the injured to heal.
Source: National Herald
