Third Annual Washington Oxi Day Celebration

Modern history’s most consequential, yet forgotten, David vs. Goliath story — Greece’s role in the defeat of Adolph Hitler and preservation of freedom and democracy during WWII— will be celebrated in Washington on October 24th and 25th during the Third Annual Washington Oxi Day Celebration.

This event, hosted by the Washington Oxi Day Foundation, will be bring together members of the Greek community, US policymakers, officials from Greece and other nations and opinion leaders to both commemorate this important day in history and also celebrate modern heroes of freedom and democracy who carry on the Oxi Day spirit.

The celebration will include the following events:

• Black Tie Dinner and Presentation of Oxi Day Awards honoring modern heroes of democracy and freedom at the historic Organization of American States building. Award recipients are Kenyan journalist and anti-corruption crusader John Githongo, who will be introduced via video by world-renowned musician and human rights activist Bono, and Cuban dissident and leader of the Women in White Berta Soler, who will be introduced by Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Senate Bob Menendez. Former Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Taskopoulos-Kounalakis will also speak.
• Presentation of the Greatest Generation Awards honoring WWII veterans at the National WWII Memorial. Honorees include Greek-American WWII veteran Christopher Mehiel (honored posthumously), father of Dennis Mehiel; Greek veteran and four star general, Konstantinos Korkas, and American veteran Congressman John Dingell, the longest serving member of the U.S. Congress in history. Jim Chanos will serve as keynote speaker.

Presentation of the Metropolitan Chrysostomos Award, recognizing action against anti-Semitism and discrimination, to Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee David Harris at the U.S. Capitol Building. This event celebrates the involvement of Greek Orthodox hierarchs and the Greek people in protecting the Jewish community of Greece during the Holocaust.

Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of those who lost their lives defending freedom and democracy in WWII.

To view a full schedule of events, purchase tickets or learn more about the work of the Washington Oxi Day Foundation, visit www.oxidayfoundation.org