Memoirs of Peter Boudoures Chapter 19 The AHEPA Grows

Theodore Andronicos, 1931 1st AHEPA President Pacific Chapter

In the meantime, my faith in the Order of AHEPA was tremendous. I saw it as a medium which, if supported by the majority of Greeks in all walks of life, could emulate things that other nationalities had done. We could build schools to teach the younger generation the Greek language. We could contribute to the theological school in Pomfort. We could build an old folks' home for elderly AHEPANs and build an orphanage.

These causes would justify asking for contributions from the Greek-Americans and help to bring us together. We could learn to break the habit of each of us believing that we should be the leader. We could have the better man lead. We could join hands in the commercial and financial fields. This would benefit not only us old timers but more importantly, the younger generation which was beginning to graduate from high school and college in ever growing numbers and who needed political, financial and moral support.

I fought at every convention against many of our incapable leaders. I mention no names. I was known sometimes as a rebel, sometimes as a hothead, sometimes as a crusader, and sometimes as an unreasonable fighter. But no one doubted my sincerity. To those who questioned my motives I explained that I owed no allegiance to any leader. I didn't care from where he came as long as he was capable, as long as he had the time and as long as he was willing to serve the cause.

I was not willing to help anyone who was using the office to "feather his nest." If he did his job well, then I did not mind seeing him elected to office or receiving an appointment. But, if a person is running for office for the glory of it; and he is willing to step on anybody or anything that gets in his way, then I'm against him. And, as a result, I became known as an old wolf.

But while doing that, I made friends with many good people. In l934, in Columbus, Ohio, I met and became friends with the late William Helis, owner of Helis Petroleum Company in Louisiana, a very wealthy Greek who eventually became supreme President of the Order of AHEPA. I met Stephen Stephane and his father who were in the cigarette and cigar manufacturing business in Pennsylvania. I met Gregory Taylor who was the owner of the St. Moritz Hotel in New York. I met Tom Pappas who was a successful business man in Boston, Massachusetts and who today heads the Pappas corporation in Greece that is doing so much for the Greek people. I had also met Stanley Stacy, a very successful businessman in Wisconsin and many others.

I became very close to these men. We generally thought alike and agreed on the ways and means by which the AHEPA could progress. We wanted to show the Americans that we were not "God-damn" Greeks or inferiors; that we were good citizens. We felt that we deserved to be looked upon with respect because amongst other things, our people were good citizens, having committed fewer crimes compared to any other nationality.

In 1934 I was elected Supreme Governor of AHEPA, even though I did not seek the office. AHEPA had political parties and the candidates ran in slates. Even though I was elected, the man under whose ticket I ran was defeated as President. Towards the end I wanted to withdraw my name from the nomination. My friend and leader at the time, George Vournas, who had lost the election, advised me not to do it. His thinking was that I could serve the AHEPA better as Supreme Governor than I could from the outside. So I stayed on.

In 1935 I attended the national convention in Chicago and ran for Supreme Vice President. I lost by three votes. According to William Helis the opposing forces had prepared for a year to get their people elected regardless of their qualifications. That type of opposition was difficult to overcome.