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To all of you... The good American people!
The fellow citizens devoted to the American Dream and the American Way of life!
I am addressing to you today to bring forward to you a distinguished message!
It is the message of support and contribution... The message of "philotimo" and "respect".
If there is another nation to which we, the Americans, are so similar.
If there is another nation to which we are historically connected.
This is, by all means, the Greek Nation.
Not only for the foundation of democracy that was first established in Greece.
Neither for the great values of the western civilization that all were introduced and grown in Greece.
Not even for the evolution of sciences and philosophy! But especially...
...because, in their essence, even today, Greeks are so similar to the American People!
Greeks are open-minded and at the same time suspicious!
They are self centered and at the same time ready to offer themselves to anyone in need!
They think the "evil" and they decide to do the "good".
Not as an obligation but as a choice! They overestimate themselves...
...and their potential and they become victims of their own selfish pride.
The same qualities, in different areas appear either as advantages or as disadvantages!
If this is not the best description of us, the American People, then I am wondering what would be!
The blessing and the curse, at the same time, of our people and our own modern society!
An incredible amount of capabilities and potential...
...that when not being exploited in a sensible way they become disadvantages of our system!
My fellow citizens! A Greek word of which I recently came across is "philotimo".
Philotimo, means, to offer your assistance without aiming to an immediate payback, and to do this...
...either as recognition of one’s overall contribution to your world or as a recognition of his great importance.
I thought there was no similar word or expression in the English language, but in modern American English...
...there is a special word that expresses, this recognition, at the same way as this is implied in the word philotimo.
This modern American expression is "respect"! Respect, my fellow citizens!
It is not a coincidence that this American expression derives from the part of our society that suffered a lot...
...and proved to be capable to survive and flourish! American people so much alike Greeks!
Greeks suffered a lot through the ages, from their ancient history until today, proving that although just a few,
...although just one of the smallest nations in the world, they deserve to keep going as a precious part of the history of mankind!
This rare race, this insignificant bunch of people, this strange nation that continues through the ages,
I am calling you today to support! I am calling you to support Greece...
...with respect and philotimo. I am calling you to contribute...
...to their destroyed economy! There is no need to donate anything!
Just decide to make Greece your first choice, even your only choice, as your Holiday Destination for this year!
And the year after! And the year after!
Do not think this only as a contribution but also as a great offer to yourself and your children!
Because Greece is in its essence the core of our material world, as well as, of our world of ideas and values!
And, please, keep in mind that Greece is not ideal! Greece is a condensed micrograph of our world.
Greece is not the scenery of a "love story" or a "holiday movie".
Therefore Greece is contradictory and real! Be prepared! Greece can be a lifetime experience!