A Greek American family’s life is shaped by military service
by Mikeletos Spiros
There are three proud military veterans in my family. They lived in the South Bay for many years, but were born and raised on the island of Cephalonia, in Greece, home to the poet Homer and 1 mile from the island of Ithaca, Ulysses’ homeland.
Harry was the father, Jerry the oldest son, and Spiros the youngest son. Spiros is the one who volunteered to write this brief version of their military history. Perhaps Spiros forgot what they taught him in the United States Air Force: ”Never Volunteer!”
In 1912, the Greeks sent recruiters around the world to enlist young Greeks to fight for the fatherland. My father Harry, who was living in New York, was among the first Greek Americans to volunteer.
The great Greek poet Loannis Polemis wrote about my father and his fellow Greek Americans in “O Statos” (“O Soldiers”): “You left behind far away countries and land where the war of life kept you. You sailed back fast over the wide oceans because the fatherland cried for your help and you responded!”
They participated in the liberation of Greek Macedonia, Ipiros, Gianina, Salonica, Philippi, and Thrace, the land beloved by Alexander the Great, land beloved by Alexander’s father Phillip, and land beloved by Saint Paul. The same Saint Paul who wrote two epistles in the New Testament, one to the Thessalonians and one to the Philippians.
After World War I, Harry returned to New York City to work as an assistant engineer on Standard Oil ships.
Then, in 1930, he chose to return to the village of his birth, Anninata, on the island Kefalonia, to find a wife. Harry and Angeliki became farmers and had three children during the Great Depression. Two of these children are among the Three veterans in this story.
Then came World War II. German and Italian soldiers invaded their island of Kefalonia. Harry spoke five languages, four of which he taught himself. Unfortunately German wasn’t one of them. But he was able to help many people with his fluency in Italian.
In 1946, one year after the war ended, Harry received a letter from the United States Embassy in Athens. The letter said; “You are an American citizen. We invite you and your family to come to America.”
With the help of a fellow Anninata villager, Kostas, Harry made a connection with New York City again. Along with the help of another Kefalonia villager, Spiros, he was connected with Manhattan Beach and the South Bay. By 1952, the whole Mikelatos family was living in the South Bay.
There was still land for growing flowers.
In Manhattan Beach, the family discovered a new Mira Costa High School, a new El Camino College, and UCLA.
Principal Waller and Vice Principal Fisher were still active at Mira Costa. There were also many other worthy teachers and students. It is a pleasure to think of them decades later.
Jerry was drafted in 1956, at age 23. while living in Manhattan Beach.
He was assigned to the U.S. and NATO Forces in Berlin Germany. He also underwent training in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Though many Ameriocans have never heard of it, it is the largest U.S training facility in Europe.
Within two years, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He also convinced a beautiful woman, Doris, to become his wife. Years later another woman, Melitsa, was at his side along with five children and six grandchildren. Jerry told us a final goodbye a short time ago. He did not forget to take his American flag with him. Two soldiers in full military dress were there to make sure Jerry’s wishes were followed. Jerry is probably guiding my hand as I am writing this story today.
Spiros was the youngest of the three veterans to join the military. He joined the United States Air Force, during the 1964 draft. He was given deferments for the study of medicine at UCLA, and then was admitted to the U.S. Air Force as a licensed medical doctor with the rank of Captain.
His first assignment was with the U.S. NATO Forces in Hof/Saale, Germany. Myself, along with a fellow doctor and two fellow dentists, took care of the American families in Hof. I became fluent in German so I could help soldiers who needed help in German hospitals.
I also found a loving wife who gave us three lovely daughters, and from them three lovely granddaughters. I retired from the Air Force after 20 years of active military service, three years of reserve service, and six years of civil service. I spent a few years in a private practice, but felt that the soldiers and their families needed me and I needed to be with them.
After retirement I did part time work in VA Hospitals, California State Prisons, and Addiction clinics. I continue the latter practice.
In the poet Homer’s Odyssey, written 3,000 years ago there is a description of Paradise: “It is a sunny place. A place where no snow falls and very little rain. In the afternoon the gentle breeze blows from the ocean to refresh the people.”
For these three veterans, the “godly singer,” might have been talking about the South Bay. ER
