AHIF President, AHI Members Serve as Grand Marshals at Greek Independence Parades

WASHINGTON, DC — AHI Foundation President Dr. Spiros Spireas and AHI Members Paul Kotrotsios and Dr. Panayiotis Baltatzis served as Grand Marshals at Greek Independence Day parades held this month.  Dr. Spireas served as one of the Grand Marshals of the New York City Greek Independence Day Parade, April 10, 2016.  Kotrotsios and Dr. Baltatzis served as Grand Marshals of the Baltimore Greek Independence Day Parade, April 3, 2016.

“We congratulate these outstanding representatives of the AHI Foundation and AHI, whowere recognized in this esteemed manner by the organizers of the New York City and BaltimoreGreek Independence Day Parades,” said Larigakis, who attended both parades. “They have made significant contributions to Hellenism and the Greek American community.  We enjoyedcelebrating the 195th anniversary of Greek Independence with the communities of New York City and its Tri-state area as well as the Baltimore community.”

Added AHI Foundation President Dr. Spireas, “I am very honored to have been selected as one of the Grand Marshals for the New York City Greek Independence Day Parade.  The parade was a tremendous event and extremely successful.  We extend our congratulations and appreciation to all the Greek Americans and Philhellenes of the Tri-state New York city area.”

Dr. Spiro Spireas, pictured with his wife Dr. Emily Spireas, receiving an award in commemoration of his role as a Grand Marshall from Petros Galatoulas and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. Courtesy of Dimitrios Panagos.

Dr. Spiro Spireas pictured with other Grand Marshalls at the parade. Courtesy of Dimitrios Panagos. 

In addition to being dedicated AHI members, Kotrotsios is the founder of the Hermes Expo and The Hellenic News of America and former president of the Hellenic American National Council (HANC).  Dr. Baltatzis is the Secretary General of HANC.

Paul Kotrotsios, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Dr. Panayiotis Baltatzis.

The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

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For additional information, please contact Georgea Polizos at (202) 785-8430 or atpr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org and follow us on Twitter @TheAHIinDC.