On February 14 the City of Volos, Greece, honored Asa K. Jennings for saving the Greeks from Smyrna and Asia Minor in 1922-23. There were 300,000 Greeks saved in the first 11 days, plus 25,000 Jews and 25,000 Armenians. In 10 months, 1,250,000 were removed to safety. Asa K. Jennings is the highest decorated person in Greek history. At the ceremony in Volos the bishop, His Eminence, Mr. Ignatius lauded Jennings and blessed the monument with Roger L. Jennings, Grandson of Asa Jennings, at his side. There were hundreds in attendance of very grateful, and emotional, Greeks whose families were saved. The details of the rescue are in Waking the Lion written by Roger Jennings and sold by Amazon.
Volos is a three hour ride by car north of Athens. Along the road about every 5 miles there were lines of about 50 large farm tractors. The next day the farmers moved their tractors on to the highway to block all traffic. This happened all over Greece. The farmers are resisting higher taxes and lower prices as required by the European Union. The farmers are in open revolt, and the Greek people sympathize with them. In Athens Greeks put on masks at night and go dumpster diving for food. They go at night, with the masks, because they are a proud people who do not want to be known for their desperation. A Greek doctor who sat next to Roger Jennings on the return flight said he believes Greece is close to having a revolution. As an American without any Greek blood, I can say Greece is a very beautiful country with very loving and proud people. The situation is Greece is very sad.
photo of His Eminence and Roger Jennings at the dedication being sent separately by email
