Senator Raptakis joins
the Andros Club

The Andros Yacht Club Board of Directors (in Andros Island, Greece), taking into consideration the fact that State Senator of Rhode Island Leonidas Raptakis has taken special interest in Hellenic issues, with most recent example his successful effort to have one of the last Liberty-type ships returned to Greece as a floating museum, decided unanimously to make him an Honorary Member. Leonidas Raptakis has always kept close contacts with Greece and especially with the island of his origin, Andros, which he tries to visit frequently.

In 1955 the youth of Andros, having already displayed a special interest in sailing, requested from the island’s Mayor Michail Polemis and the well-off families there to help them in founding the Andros Yacht Club in order to preserve and enhance their interest in the sport. The dream became a reality and the club was founded in 1957.

Thanks to the Andros Yacht Club sailing was established on the island at that time as a classical and perpetual value and many kids of the club have already been distinguished in Hellenic and European sailing races. The club nowadays functions as a meeting point for all the Andrioti ship owners, the local aristocracy and the members who enjoy the facilities, situated by the sea in Chora. The biggest event is the annual gala on the 15th of August, with many dignitaries participating.

The event celebrating Senator Leonidas Raptakis’ honorary membership coincided with the 42nd Andros International Sailing Race with Deputy Minister of External Affaires Miltiades Varvitsiotis giving the signal. The Andros Sailing Grand Prix was established in 1967 by Mr Giannis Goulandris (Big John) and it is continued until today.

State Senator Leonidas Raptakis was very touched by the ceremony and noted that he feels an indispensable part of Greece and especially Andros and promised that from his position and with the values of cohesion, moral strength, clarity and transparency that he has already inherited from his parents, he will work hard and with the same enthusiasm in order to further promote Hellenic-American issues.

©2009 NEOCORP MEDIA


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