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28th October is a most important date. 'OHI', 'NO' Day
Celebrated in Greece and Cyprus and by greek communities all over the world. Commemorating the day in 1940 that Metaxas, Prime Minister of Greece , said a resounding 'NO' to Mussolini's ultimaton that Greece open up its borders and allow Italian troops to occupy Greece or go to war. 'It is War' said Metaxas and so it was. Greek troops beat the Italians back over the Albanian border and it wasn't until 1941 that Germany began their occupation of Greece which lasted until 1944.
Many houses fly the Greek flag. K always raises the greek flag on our flagpoole, this time accompanied by the NZ flag, representing the ANZAC (Australian and NZ Army Corp) which fought alongside the Greeks. Both my Uncle and my Father took part in the Greek campaign
On the island there is a parade of school children down on the harbour accompanied by the Municipal band,
wreath laying, speeches and the National Anthem
Some of our grandchildren participated
Here's Poppi, hair flying, leading her class
In the northern city of Thessaloniki there was a huge military parade including the latest armoured combat vehicles (tanks) and a flyover of the newly acquired Rafale jets, helicopters and a spectacular demonstration by a F-16.
All very grande. It was a warm sunny day so we watched the parade on Poros, took photos of the grandkids, drank coffee and a few beers and then took our latest kiwi visitors out to lunch.
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A proud day to be Greek, and Aussie or kiwi.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a proud yiayia you must be of all your beautiful grandchildren
In a few years all the kids will have grown up and moved on but now it's lovely to watch them marching. So many photos, from preschool to high school.
ReplyDeleteWe will still be there though. It's a big family and social get together
Freedom is definitely worth celebrating - a shame it often comes with a human cost. Poppi looks lovely stepping out in the parade :)
ReplyDeleteThere was a stiff wind and the photo caught her hair just at the right moment.
DeleteBetween Mussolini and Hitler they caused so much trouble in the world.
ReplyDeleteSo many memorials and remembrance ceremonies all over europe
DeleteGreat picture of your granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteLook at that hair flying! There was quite a strong wind
DeleteSuch brave people.
ReplyDeleteThey were
DeleteI really enjoy seeing the younger ones get involved with parades, scouts and the like always march in local ones here. Makes them part of the community - and like you and yours, their families stay connected as well.
ReplyDeleteAnd I see you have sunny blue skies with no rain….I’m coming to live there….or would you like some of our rain, we’ve got plenty to spare😊
Ummm, I'd take just a smidgeon if your rain. You sure do have more than enough but maybe we will too very soon
DeleteMy father was a Kiwi soldier in Greece during WW2 as well. He was captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war as a POW in Austria.
ReplyDeleteHeavens that is exactly what happened to my Uncle George. He spent the war on a farm in Austria growing food for the Germans.
DeleteIt was the same for Dad. He worked on farms and in a timber mill. He said the farmers were good to the Kiwis.
DeleteNice to see the young involved in the commemoration. We stayed on Crete way back in the early 80's and lots of locals made a fuss over us, an Aussie and a Kiwi visiting, brought back memories for the older people I think.
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