March 26, 2009

The Honorable Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

Thank you for inviting to the White House Church and Community leaders and representatives from all of the major Greek-American organizations in our country for yesterday’s celebration of Greek Independence Day. As you may know, the Order of St. Andrew, of which I am National Commander, is comprised of over 700 of the most prominent Americans of Greek heritage from across the country.

We recognize and appreciate the fact that space limitations prohibited the invitation of more than a very small number of representatives of the major organizations. We also understand the extraordinary challenge in undertaking such a large event just after arriving at the White House. Your staff deserves our deepest gratitude and commendations for offering such outstanding hospitality. We are pleased to note that for the first time a celebrity chef, Michael Psilakis, prepared the food at the reception and once again you invited our young people, the Archdiocesan Youth Choir, to participate in song. Our national community is grateful for the exceptional effort you undertook in celebration of Greek and American democracy.

On a closing note, we greatly appreciated the outstanding respect given to our spiritual father, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, the head of the over 500 churches across the country. For the first time ever at this annual White House celebration, not only did both the President of the United States and the Vice President participate, but the Vice President introduced the Archbishop during the program. For all of this we are tremendously grateful.

Sincerely,

Anthony J. Limberakis, MD

Archon Aktouarios

National Commander