The Washington Oxi Day Foundation honored men and women who have contributed to the preservation of freedom and democracy on Thursday in Washington D.C.
The Foundation commemorated the day Greece refused to surrender when faced with a demand to allow Italian forces to occupy the country.
It celebrated modern heroes of freedom and democracy who today display the “Oxi Day Spirit” and struggle to improve the perception of Greece today.
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
This year’s Oxi Day Service Awards
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.
A distinguished honor for our founder @JohnPCalamosSr to deliver the prestigious Calamos Service Award to fellow Vietnam veteran Col. Jack Jacobs at today’s @OxiDayFndation ceremony. A grateful thank you for your service and sacrifice. #Veterans #VietnamWar #neverforget pic.twitter.com/mzFYMgSoMH
— Calamos Investments (@calamos) October 28, 2022
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.
Honored to share the stage at Oxi Courage Awards with Ukrainian President @ZelenskyyUa the hero of our time who has stood up against Putin.
He recognized Iranian’s fight against Khamenei’s regime. Our unity against dictators must be stronger than ever.
pic.twitter.com/Rk1IZIT9Rh— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) October 28, 2022
I didn't accept the Oxi Courage Award to say “No to the Islamic Republic.” Iranians do that by chanting “Death to the Dictator” in the streets of Iran. I accepted it to say “No” to the western countries who still recognize the legitimacy of this regime#MahsaAmini#IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/H2LjiOu7TK
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) October 28, 2022
Holocaust Special Advisor to the Secretary of State Stuart Eizenstat received the Metropolitan Chrysostomos Award.
George M. Logothetis, executive chairman of Libra Group delivered the keynote address on courage.
Oxi Day Foundation presents winners of Philotimo competition
Last week, the Washington Oxi Day Foundation announced the winners of the 2022 Philotimo Scholarship Competition.
Students were asked to watch the Foundation’s “Greek Secret” video on the subject of philotimo and answer one of the following questions:
▪ What does philotimo mean to you?
▪ What are some extraordinary examples of philotimo that you have seen?
▪ What are the things you can do in your daily life to exhibit philotimo?
▪ How can philotimo improve your life?
The first-place essay was submitted by Paraskevi Christopoulos a high school senior in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She will receive a $4,000 scholarship and be featured as part of the Foundation’s 12th Annual Oxi Courage Awards on October 27th.
Christopoulos’ winning essay focused on how philotimo has inspired her life.
She wrote, “Outward expressions of philotimo and generosity, whether through Girls Scouts’ projects or randomly helping others, inspire us to make a difference. If each of us passes on one act of kindness, that philotimo will grow exponentially, and who knows how many lives can be changed forever? Often, my father reflects on his life and reminds me, that the philotimo given to my Pappou and father years ago changed our lives forever.”
The two second place winners, each of whom will receive a $2,000 scholarship are Apostalia Pritchard a high school junior in New York, NY and Angelos Mesolongitis, a high school freshman in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
The two third place winners, each of whom will receive a $1,000 scholarship are Chrysostomos Ioulianos Tsiglifisa, a high school freshman in McLean, VA and Andreas Karakousis, a high school junior in Baltimore, MD.
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