Memorial of the American Philhellene Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe in Aegina

 

The Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism participated in the event of the erection of the Memorial for the American Philhellene Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe in Aegina.

The event was held with great success on Monday 15 April 2019 in Aegina, which honored the great American Philhellene Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, the humanitarian doctor who offered his medical services and also fought alongside the 1821 Greek freedom fighters.

At the time of the establishment of the modern Greek state, Dr. Howe brought a large sum of money through the US, and made it available to alleviate the Greek refugees. In agreement with the first Governor of Greece, the port of Aegina (the first capital of the newly established Greek state), was reconstructed from this money, to stimulate the economic activity of the country.

The unveiling was made by US Ambassador Geoffrey R. Pyatt and Mayor of Aegina Dimitris Mourtzis. The Mayor’s and Ambassador’s greetings were preceded by the presentation of a letter sent by Dr. Howe’s descendants, made by Mr. Constantinos Velentzas, President of the EUROPEAN DYNAMICS group, and a speech by Mr. Vasilis Sotirakopoulos on Dr. Howe’s action in Aegina.

The monument, a relief bust of the great Philhellene, was set up at the harbor pier, at the initiative of the Port Authority of Aegina, Mr. Sotirakopoulos and the Association of Friends of the Historical and Folklore Museum.