Robert Weygand: “Today thousands of Greeks and Greek Americans will celebrate the 177th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution…”

“Today thousands of Greeks and Greek Americans will celebrate the 177th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution that resulted in the liberation of the Greek people from nearly 400 years of domination under the Ottoman Empire. Approximately 2000 years ago the democratic principles of equality, freedom and self rule were espoused by such great thinkers as Aristotle, Plato and Polybius. Tragically, under the Ottoman Empire those principles were repressed and for hundreds of years Greeks were deprived of their civil rights. Fortunately, the foundations of democracy formed in Athens resurfaced and inspired the Greeks to stage a revolution in 1821 and break their ties of oppression. These democratic principles of freedom, equality, and self rule inspired our founding fathers and were heavily relied upon as they drafted the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Greece has been a strong ally of the United States. Every time the United States entered into international conflict this century, the people of Greece have shown their support by allying themselves with us. For that, I thank the citizens and soldiers of Greece. I look forward to continued good relations with Greece and its citizens and working with them to preserve and expand democracy throughout the world. Again, I congratulate Greece on 177 years of independence.”