LANSDOWNE, PA — The Greek American VFW Post Eleftheria gathered at Fernwood Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 25, for its annual service at the Eleftheria monument, placing flowers and small American flags in memory of the fallen and the veterans connected to the post.
About thirty veterans, family members, friends, and representatives of regional veterans and auxiliary organizations attended the ceremony.
Guests were given small American flags, many of which were placed at the base of the memorial and nearby graves, adding red, white, and blue to the cemetery grounds. One attendee stood near the monument holding a framed photograph, a reminder that behind every name and every stone is a family story of service, loss, and remembrance.
The day also included special recognition for Georgia Chletcos, who was presented with a citation naming her “Post Advocate of the Year” for her meritorious and distinguished service in furthering the aims and ideals of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Chletcos reflected on the meaning of the honor, linking it to both Memorial Day and the 250th anniversary year of American independence.
“It was an honor today to be recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as Post Advocate of the Year,” she said. “It is especially significant to be recognized this year as we celebrate 250 years of the independence of the United States. It is a time of reflection to remember those who sacrificed for our freedom.”
She added that she accepted the honor not only personally, but in memory of those who served before her and helped keep the post alive.
“A simple ‘thank you’ is never enough,” Chletcos said. “I will always hold this honor close to my heart and accept it not for any work that I have done, but in the memory of those before us who served our country, organized this post, and those that keep the post and memory of our veterans alive today.”
Among the participants were representatives of several veterans and auxiliary organizations, including Jonathan Turner, Sergeant-at-Arms of William P. Roche American Legion Unit 21 of Philadelphia; Omar Pigford, VFW District 7 Senior Vice Commander and incoming District 7 Commander; and Akilah Evans-Pigford, trustee of Media VFW Auxiliary Post 3460.
Their presence underscored the close ties between Eleftheria Post and the broader network of veterans and auxiliary groups across the region.
As the service concluded, participants posed for a group photograph around the granite Eleftheria memorial before dispersing through the cemetery, placing their remaining flags and pausing at graves.
For the Greek American VFW Post Eleftheria, the annual gathering at Fernwood remains one of the ways the post keeps faith with the Greek American veterans whose names are tied to the monument and the community around it.