To A Proud People

Day 633, 15:31 • Published in Greece USA • by James Skyrider

First, I want to thank the people of Greece for their warm welcome. I have had nothing but polite exchanges with everyone I have spoken with since I moved here just a few days ago and even before that. Unfortunately, I may have to leave soon in order to go on assignment. But before I leave, I just wanted to write an article, first to thank the people of Greece, and second, to celebrate your independence from Turkish rule, yet again. 🙂 I didn't fight in this last battle in the Aegean Islands, but I did fight in the first one there, although that battle wasn't successful. I also helped defend Central Greece and Macedonia when those battles were going on a little while back when I was still in the States.

What a turn of events Greece!! You went from defending not to long ago, to celebrating your renewed independence today thanks to a brilliant strategic move by your leadership to retreat and then go on the offensive and retake the land that is rightfully yours. I tip my hat to you Greece. You were resolved, inspired, and unified and the recent victories show just what is possible when a proud people, along with their allies, train their focus on a singular goal......freedom from foreign rule!

Most all of you who are native Greeks, and others, probably know about a poem written by Feraios entitled the "Thourios" that served as a rallying cry for Greeks against Ottoman rule. I thought this an appropriate day to publish it in this article.

English Version:

For how long, o brave young men, shall we live in fastnesses,
Alone, like lions, on the ridges in the mountains?
Shall we dwell in caves, looking out on branches,
Fleeing from the world on account of bitter serfdom?
Abandoning brothers, sisters, parents, homeland
Friends, children, and all of our kin?
[...]
Better one hour of free life,
Than forty years of slavery and prison

Greek Version:

Ὡς πότε παλικάρια, νὰ ζοῦμε στὰ στενά,
μονάχοι σὰ λεοντάρια, σταῖς ράχαις στὰ βουνά;
Σπηλιαῖς νὰ κατοικοῦμε, νὰ βλέπωμεν κλαδιά,
νὰ φεύγωμ᾿ ἀπ᾿ τὸν κόσμον, γιὰ τὴν πικρὴ σκλαβιά;
Νὰ χάνωμεν ἀδέλφια, πατρίδα καὶ γονεῖς,
τοὺς φίλους, τὰ παιδιά μας, κι ὅλους τοὺς συγγενεῖς;
[...]
Καλλιῶναι μίας ὥρας ἐλεύθερη ζωή,
παρὰ σαράντα χρόνοι, σκλαβιὰ καὶ φυλακή.

The days that are laid out before you are sure to be tough, as your freedom and resolve will most likely be tested again. But I have faith in you Greece. As long as you remain unified, spirited, and focused, I have no doubt that you can overcome any and all obstacles that are set before you. As far as an answer to the questions raised in the poem, I say NO MORE. Thanks again Greece and know that I will always stand with you as an ally, brother, and friend.