The members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), the leading association for the nation's millions of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of American Hero, and Brother Ahepan, John Glenn, Jr., announced Supreme President Andrew C. Zachariades.
"Brother Glenn was a true American Hero and Philhellene," Zachariades said. "Brother Glenn exemplified a lifetime of extraordinary service to America as a heroic combat pilot, a trailblazing astronaut, and upstanding public servant in the United States Senate for four terms. We are proud and honored to call him our Brother. May his memory be eternal."
Then-Senator John Glenn received the 1993 AHEPA Pericles Award for excellence in public service by then-Supreme President John Economou, Akron, Ohio, at the 31st AHEPA Biennial Congressional Banquet in Washington, DC.
In acceptance, Glenn saluted AHEPA for its philanthropic work and said receiving the award was an honor he would never forget. He also spoke about the importance of Greece and shared the concerns of Greek Americans on Cyprus and the FYROM name-recognition issues.
"Greece is one of only a handful of countries that has fought with the United States in every international conflict we fought in this century," Glenn told the audience. "Today, Greece stands alone as the only Balkan nation that is a democratic ally, and I say we owe it to Greece and to ourselves to do everything we can to contain and end the nightmare of violence which continues to engulf that part of the world."
On Cyprus, Sen. Glenn said in his acceptance, "For as long as I am in the Senate, I will continue to stand with you in seeking the removal of Turkish troops from Cyprus and for a just, lasting and negotiated settlement in the country."
On FYROM, he added the United States must ensure "the legitimate concerns of Greece are fully addressed -- and it means actively discouraging any kind of provocative behavior on the part of Skopje, such as placement of the Star of Vergina on that country's flag."
Brother Glenn was a member of AHEPA Stanton Chapter 92, Steubenville, Ohio.