AHI Hosts Noon Forum to Commemorate the Anniversary of OXI Day

WASHINGTON, DC—On October 27, 2009 the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) hosted a Noon Forum at the Hellenic House commemorating the 69th Anniversary of OXI Day. The Noon Forum featured guest speaker Colonel Taxiarchis Sardellis, Embassy of Greece Defense Attaché.

Colonel Taxiarchis Sardellis began his presentation by explaining the historical significance of OXI day and how on October 28, 1940 Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas truly interpreted the feelings and sentiments of the Greek people when he said “OXI” (No!) to Mussolini’s surrender ultimatum. Colonel Sardellis stated, “The answer the Italian ambassador received reflected primarily the will of the Greek people, but it was the call of history and selfless duty, it was the call of Greece.” As a result, Greece’s courageous defiance played a pivotal role in the eventual victory of the Allied Forces in World War II. Moreover, Greece’s heroic efforts against the fascist Italian army resulted in the first defeat of the Axis powers in WWII.

Colonel Taxiarchis Sardellis is the Embassy of Greece Defense Attaché. He is fluent in Greek, English, and Italian. His professional education includes: 1986 Ranger School – Jump Master School – International Long Range Recee School, Germany; 1987 Special Forces Officer Advanced Course; 1990 US Army Chemical Officer Basic Course; 1994 US Army Infantry Advanced Officer Course; NATO Officer Orientation Course – Planning; Peace Support Operations Course; Combat Readiness Evaluation Course; NATO School SHAPE Oberammergau Germany; 1997-1998 Army War College; and 2008 NATO Defense College. His previous assignments include: 1985 - 1992 Platoon Leader – Company Commander of Special Forces and Airborne Units; 1992 - 1993 Staff Officer in the Defense Planning and Programming Directorate, Hellenic Army General Staff; 1993 – 1997 Company Commander / S-3 / XO in Infantry Units; 1998 – 2001 Exercise & Training Staff Officer in the NATO HQ, Larisa, Greece; 2001 – 2004 Liaison Officer to the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Ft. Monroe, Virginia; 2004 – 2006 Commander of the 595 Air Assault Battalion; 2006 – 2007 Staff Officer in the Office of the Inspector General of the Army; 2007 – 2009 Head of the Bilateral Cooperation Department, International Relations Division, Ministry of Defense. His decorations include: Medal for Military Valour Class B & C; Golden Cross of the Order of Merit; Golden Cross of the Order of Phoenix; Army Meritorious Command Commendation Medal; Staff Officer Service Commendation Medal, Class B; Medal for Participation in Peace Support Ops; and NATO Medal for the Service with NATO in KFOR Operations US Army Meritorious Service Medal.

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For additional information, please contact C. Franciscos Economides at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our Web site at https://www.ahiworld.org.