Greek veterans who fought in wars with Greece and Australia marched under the banner of the Hellenic RSL in Melbourne on Thursday, accompanied by family members and students of Oakleigh Grammar school.
Following the parade, veterans gathered at the Hellenic RSL Memorial Hall in South Melbourne for lunch. Steve Kyritsis, President of the Hellenic RSL, took the podium to remind guests of the contribution that Greeks have made to the Australian war efforts in Korea, Vietnam, Iran and Afghanistan. There were Greeks fighting with the Australian army in WW1, and others helping Australian nationals.
“We are the only ethnicity to have offered so much. Australia knows this and we should be proud,” Mr Kyritsis said.
During the event, Konstandinos Kontossis, a veteran from Korea, was offered a certificate for his 50-year membership with the RSL.
Greek veterans, family members and students from Oakleigh Grammar marched in the Anzac Day parade that took place in Melbourne on Thursday.
The lunch at the Hellenic RSL gave war veterans a chance to catch up and share stories.
Jim, Con and Tony Doukelis outside the Hellenic RSL. Their father Ignatios Doukelis heroically served in Korea. He died two years ago, but his sons attend the events in memory of their father.
