History repeats itself: Those untested in battle degrade our heroes

Hundreds of citizens of Piraeus (where he spent the end of his life in poverty) and beyond attended an emotional and patriotically charged unveiling of a bust of Greek Revolutionary War hero Nikitas Stamatelopoulos, better known as Niktaras the Turkophagos (Turk-eater,) on the eve of Greek Independence Day.

One of the greatest figures in the Greek War of Independence, Nikitaras found his place in Piraeus and in the hearts of all those who do not forget the people who died in the defence of faith and fatherland very nearly 200 years ago.
The event was held in the courtyard of the Piraeus old age home on 23 March and was packed with symbolism, moving moments, and clear messages.

The unveiling of the bronze bust of Nikitaras was an opportunity to call to mind memories of the 1821 Revolution and its heroes, and the fact that many of its leading figures were chased and mocked and died as paupers.
Such was the fate of Nikitaras, who in the last years of his life begged in order to survive very near the site where the sculpture was erected.

The donor, shipowner Evangelos Marinakis, addressed those attending the unveiling as follows:

"Ladies and gentlemen it is a great honour to donate a bust of the Greek Revolutionary hero Nikitaras in honour of my late father, Militades Marinakis, a man who was shaped by the diachronic principles of Hellenism and who truly loved Piraeus. He served these principles throughout his life. That is for me a constant source of inspiration to give to my country.

"It is important in an era of economic crisis which evolved into an unprecedented crisis of values to be able to look back on our glorious history and draw strength from the fighters of 1821 who sacrificed their lives for their principles and...