People of Service, Courage to Be Honored by Oxi Day Foundation

The Oxi Day Foundation announced the honorees who will receive the Oxi Service and Courage Awards on Monday, October 23rd, a few days before the anniversary of the historic “Oxi” (No) Greece said in 1940 to the fascist designs of Italy’s Mussolini.

Each year, the Foundation carries out its signature event—the Annual Washington Oxi Day Celebration. This event brings together senior US policymakers and other international opinion leaders and influential Washingtonians, along with prominent Greek-American leaders.

This year the Oxi Day awards will take place at The National World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. A wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of Arlington National Cemetery, on Tuesday, October 24th.

For a full schedule of events click here.

The recipients of the Oxi Service Award are:

VASILIOS S. HASEOTES SERVICE AWARD

presented to WWII Veterans William and George Stoukides

CALAMOS SERVICE AWARD

presented to Vietnam War Veteran Harris Pappas

OXI SERVICE AWARD

presented to Korean War Veteran Constantinos Georgiou

The recipients of the Oxi Courage Awards are:

OXI COURAGE AWARD

Save Ukraine

Courageously rescuing abducted Ukrainian children from Russian indoctrination facilities

OXI COURAGE AWARD

Hong Kong Democracy Activists

Fearlessly and publicly demanding democracy and freedom

METROPOLITAN CHRYSOSTOMOS AWARD

Rabbi Andrew Baker

American Jewish Committee
Director of International Jewish Affairs

The Oxi Day Foundation commemorates the day Greece refused to surrender and proceeded to inflict a fatal wound that brought down the Axis Forces in WWII.

Early on the morning of October 28th, 1940, the Greek Prime Minister was awoken to respond to a series of demands from a representative of the Axis Powers which would have allowed foreign troops free reign in Greece. His response was simple, yet firm: “Oxi”—No.

The Foundation also aims to celebrate modern heroes of freedom and democracy who today display the “Oxi Day Spirit” for freedom and democracy and to improve the perception of Greece today.

It notes on its website that many know that Greece created democracy but few know that it also saved it.

Oxi Day Foundation 2022 honorees

Among last year’s honorees were:

Dr. George Hatsopoulos was posthumously awarded for Service in World War II and received the Vasilios S. Haseotes Service Award.

Col. Jack Jacobs was recognized for Service in the Vietnam War and received the Calamos Service Award, presented by John Calamos, a decorated Vietnam veteran and award namesake.

George Poppas received the OXI Service Award for Service in the Korean War.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Iranian women’s rights activist Masih Alinejad each received the OXI Courage Award.

You can hear a pin drop at the @USIP as the @oxidayfndation celebrates the heroes among us: Those who stand to say Oxi!/No! to tyranny and hate.. No to oppression and terrorism. THIS is the positive power of NO. This year we honor @ZelenskyyUa @AlinejadMasih #oxicourage #OxiDay pic.twitter.com/yPDZYblegw

— Oxi Day Foundation (@oxidayfndation) October 28, 2022