17877 - The elders of Northern Epirus are our own people

N. Lygeros
Translated from the Greek by Athena Kehagias

The elders of Northern Epirus are our own people, not just in the sense that they are Greek, because that is self-evident, but due to their idea of sacrifice and resistance that allows our country to be free, even if they themselves, have not yet enjoyed the liberation of their own areas. In other words, they were sacrificed for us, and we should never forget that, otherwise we would be denying our own history.
In addition, these people, who are an example of heroism, are still alive, they are not dead, after all these years of survival. It is unacceptable therefore, that we haven’t yet corrected the injustices which relate to them, even at the simplest level.
The decision to issue a pension to the uninsured elders of Northern Epirus, is not a favour, but a duty for us. The idea is to help them now, that they are still alive.
Because if we forget them, even in regards to that, and we don’t keep to our commitments, when they die, even a visit to their graves will not redeem us from the injustice of not applying the actual decision.
In Greece, the law that is inhumane, is only technocratic rather than humane. And Hellenism respects only what is humane.
We don’t want an injustice towards the Northern Epirotans to be repeated. Enough is enough. They are our own people and have proven it, far more intensely than many of us, who assume that, with their birth in the free areas alone, they have done everything and there is no need for anything more to be done.
In actual fact nothing is enough, because the valuation is not a simple assessment. This issue, which is very essential, not only for their lives, but in some cases also for their survival, is indicative of our behaviour towards them.
It is therefore an act of necessity, especially since we have decided in actual fact that it makes sense in a humane, an economic and a strategic level. There is no need therefore, for a further delay, because there is no benefit due to this postponement.
On the contrary, its existence challenges the credibility towards our commitments as a Greek State.
And there is no reason for this situation to continue. Because the sister, the real doll like one, is also a grandmother, and if we want her to see for years on, her granddaughter becoming a doll, we should also be by her side, for everything she has already done for us and our values. Let us be worthy then, it is a matter of time.