Veterans from the Greek community in Victoria who served in three wars that defined the second half of the 20th century joined Melbourne’s Anzac Day march this week, cheered on by thousands of well-wishers as they made their way to the Shrine of Remembrance.
Following a record-breaking attendance of over 45,000 at the Shrine’s dawn service, Anzac Day 2013 will go down as one of the most heavily attended in its 98 year history, as Australians flocked to remembrance services across the country.
For the Greek veterans, after marching, the Hellenic RSL honoured them with a special Anzac Day lunch, where friends and family lifted a glass to mark their duty and service, to pay tribute to the fallen, and to all the men and women of Australia’s armed forces across the generations.
Naturally, the community rallied round to help the Hellenic RSL’s Anzac Day commemorations, which were supported by the Tullamarine Bus Line who supplied free transport for the veterans and their families on the day.
Of the seven veterans present at the South Melbourne lunch, more than half had served in the Korean War, a conflict so often overlooked in recent years.
Michael Nelis served with an artillery unit and spent six months in Korea as the war came to an end in 1953. “I had a bazooka,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“Next year I’m going back to meet three children who I met there. I want to find out if they are still alive, if they’re good people or bad people.”
Fellow traveller Theo Spanos arrived in Korea from a different route. Born near Tripoli in the Peloponnese in 1923, Theo Spanos arrived in Korea in 1950 as part of the Greek Expeditionary Force.
Spanos was the first Greek soldier to set foot on the Korean peninsula and was sent directly to the frontline.
Bombed by accident by an American plane, he owes his life to a tree that took the force of the blow.
“The people of South Korea had troubles and I’m proud we went to help them,” said Spanos, who said the Hellenic RSL’s annual Anzac Day commemoration gave him a chance to catch up with old friends.
“I feel very proud to be here, whenever I hear the anthem or hear the ode I think of my mates back then.”
Also present representing the Korean conflict was Ignatius Doukelis – who won a Gallantary medal fighting with the Greek Expeditionary Force – and Dimitri Paraskevopoulos of the Hellenic Air Force 13th Transport unit, which supported US Air Force missions.
Other honoured guests included WWII vets Bill Mountgouris, who enlisted with 31 Australian Works Company in 1942, and George Makris, who served with the RAAF in New Guinea in 1944.
Host Steve Kyritsis, Vietnam veteran and president of the Hellenic RSL, also welcomed City of Port Phillip’s Mayor councillor Amanda Stevens to the lunch.
Cllr Stevens said that through the work of the Hellenic RSL she had been introduced to the history of the Greek community’s involvement in Australia’s military for the first time.
“There’s a long history of Greek people living in my Albert Park Ward and I’m very pleased to be here,” she said.
“It’s a great community. I love their sense of family and generosity.”