RHODE ISLAND STATE SENATOR LOU RAPTAKIS AND ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH HONORS PARISHONER VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE

State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis | Press Release

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church Community Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Father Philip Zymaris,  Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis, Ahepa Chapter 121 President Ioannis Apostolakis and Parish Council President George Karalis attend church service and luncheon to commemorate the deceased and current veterans

(Pawtucket, Rhode Island, R.I. 11/20/2025)  State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-33 Coventry and West Greenwich) with the entire Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church community of Pawtucket Rhode Island hosted a commemoration and luncheon on the occasion of Veterans Day at the Assumption Greek Orthodox  Church and Community Center in Pawtucket Rhode Island on November 16, 2025.

The day began with a Sunday liturgy service in the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church commemorating the Assumption Greek Orthodox deceased Veteran members who served in the United States Armed Forces since the church was formed.  Following the service at the church, the entire community gathered in the Community Center for a luncheon where Emcee  Sharon Turk introduced Olympia Chapter 121, President Ioannis Apostolakis, Father Philip Zymaris, State Senator Leonidas “Lou” Raptakis  and recognized the fourteen current veterans which included Lou Bellas,  Philip Bio, George Cicma, Matthew Joanidis, Constantine Koutsoukas, Charles Lehourites, Chris Limnios, Alexandria McNamara, Samuel Matook, Mathew Milas,  Charles Roditakis, Theodore Soukatos, Anastasios Tzaferis, and Dr. Thomas Walsh.  Rhode Island State Senator Lou Raptakis issued Senate proclamations to the veterans recognizing their past service in the United States Armed Forces and thanking them for their courage and patriotism.

The Assumption Church community took this opportunity to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Assumption’s deceased and current veterans honoring them for their service and bravery which included   Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Principal Panagiota Vastis, Greek language teachers Sophia Augoustakis and Stavroula Papavasiliou, past AHEPA president John Lyssikatos, and retired Reverend George Economou who were also in attendance.

Alexandria McNamara a United States Air Force veteran that was honored expressed “that we should support veteran’s everyday and thank them not only for their service but for their bravery and courage while they served our nation”