Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks attend the White House to celebrate Greek Independence Day with Joe Biden

WASHINGTON (Greek News) – President Joe Biden on Wednesday hosted a reception at the White House in recognition of Greek Independence Day.

Father Alex Karloutsos, vicar general of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, at the celebration of Greek independence also attended by actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson and Archbishop Elpidophoros Lambriniadis.

In a proclamation signed Friday, Biden called the day a celebration of democracy for Greece and the United States.

He marked 202 years of friendship between the modern Hellenic Republic and the U.S. and called on a recommitment to standing up for the rights, equality and dignity of all people.

“Today, we honor the heroism of Greek revolutionaries who fought for their independence more than two centuries ago and celebrate the sacred idea that has always bound our great nations together: that ‘we the people’ hold the power to shape our own destinies,” he stated.

) – President Joe Biden on Wednesday hosted a reception at the White House in recognition of Greek Independence Day.

In a proclamation signed Friday, Biden called the day a celebration of democracy for Greece and the United States.

He marked 202 years of friendship between the modern Hellenic Republic and the U.S. and called on a recommitment to standing up for the rights, equality and dignity of all people.

“Today, we honor the heroism of Greek revolutionaries who fought for their independence more than two centuries ago and celebrate the sacred idea that has always bound our great nations together: that ‘we the people’ hold the power to shape our own destinies,” he stated.

Biden left room after calling Hanks, whose Greek-American wife performed three songs at the event, on stage and praising the “loyalty” of Greeks.

“The one thing about the Greek community I’ve learned over these years — and it’s been 50 years, I hate to admit it, it’s that long — but is loyalty, loyalty, loyalty. And I tell ya, I think my sister and I, my family and I, have returned it. But you’ve been incredibly, incredibly loyal,” Biden said.