[Styparty]

George, on the surface it somehow seems macabre to keep on remembering past wars but it's absolutely necessary in my opinion, because people seem to have such short memories and just keep on doing the same things.

New Zealanders are remembered with affection here in Greece, especially in Crete. In fact veterans of the 2nd World War come to Crete each year for a special ceremony in remembrance of the brave Anzacs who died in the war. I have two very interesting books about the war in Crete.

The Fall of Crete by Alan Clark and
Ill Met by Moonlight by W. Stanley Moss.

Both are worth reading.

This is an excerpt from The Fall of Crete concerning Gunner D.C. Perkins (4 Fd Regt) one of many brave New Zealanders who worked behind enemy lines after Crete was occupied by the Germans. Perkins is buried in Crete and this is written concerning his grave : “Grave of the most fearless of fighters ever to leave New Zealand, known to all Cretans as the famous Kapitan Vassilios. Killed over 100 Germans single handed during the occupation. Led a guerrilla band, and fell from machine-gun fire in February 1944, near Lakkoi – the last gallant Kiwi killed in Crete. This man is honoured by all Cretans”.

To be honoured by Cretans is a great honour indeed – these were the people who stopped the German War Machine and who had Hitler boiling mad and asking why when Paris fell in a few days his army couldn’t subdue this little island. (this last is written in an official memo that is in the Nuremberg Trial records).

Past wars should not be forgotten of course, but we should also look to the future with hope. And we should raise our voices in protest when we see injustice being done, no matter which country is doing it. It might be your country or it might be mine, that doesn't matter. What matters is that we Orthodox should not remain silent - especially if it is just to "get along" with other people. We have an obligation as Orthodox to speak out.

Effie