Greece pays respect to pilots killed fighting fires

·

Greece paid its respects on Thursday to the two pilots killed when their Canadair CL-215 plane fighting wildfires crashed on the island of Evia, east of Athens, earlier this week.

The air force named the two officers as Captain Christos Moulas (34) and his co-pilot, Second Lieutenant Periklis Stefanidis (27).

On Thursday morning, members of Greece’s armed forces, including soldiers, Members of the Defence Ministry and Army leaders, attended a solemn flag raising ceremony at the ministry which saw the Greek flag raised at half mast as soldiers stood to attention from balconies.

Later, a memorial service was held at the Holy Church of Panagia in Athens in memory of the souls of the pilots.

This came after the funeral of Second Lieutenant Stefanidis took place in his hometown of Kilkis on Thursday.

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Defence Minister Nikos Dendias were present for the service, as was an honourary Hellenic Air Force detachment.

The funeral of Second Lieutenant Stefanidis took place in his hometown of Kilkis on Thursday.

The funeral service of Captain Moulas will take place on Friday.

Greece’s Parliament President Constantinos Tassoulas also announced on Thursday that the Hellenic Parliament will “adopt” the unborn child of Captain Moulas.

To applause from all sections of Parliament, President Tassoulas said the child will receive financial support in the form of an annual stipend until it becomes 25 years old.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Archbishop Makarios of Australia makes historic visit to Greek Orthodox Community of SA

Archbishop Makarios of Australia met with and addressed more than 300 members of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA).

Ouzo Talk joins Antenna Group as first English speaking podcast on platform

Natalia Kappa, is excited about bringing Ouzo Talk on board, and broadening the platform’s offering to the English-speaking audience. 

Melbourne Greek woman left ‘heartbroken’ as armed police interrupt father’s funeral

A woman in Victoria has been left “heartbroken” after armed uniformed police officers interrupted her Greek father’s funeral over the Easter long weekend.