In an atmosphere of deep emotion, national pride, and respect for history, the Mayor of Chalki, Evangelos Fragakis, paid tribute to the hero of the Greco-Italian War of 1940, Second Lieutenant Alexandros Diakos, by laying a wreath at his bust in Samarina, Grevena.
Alexander Diakos, a native of the remote island of Halki in the Dodecanese, was the first Greek officer to fall heroically in battle during the Greco-Italian War, on November 1, 1940, in the Pindus Mountains. His sacrifice stands as a timeless symbol of bravery, self-sacrifice, patriotism, and devotion to the ideals of freedom and national dignity.
The presence of the Mayor of Chalki at this historic site held special symbolic significance, as it linked the hero’s birthplace to the land where some of the most glorious chapters of modern Greek history were written in blood and sacrifice. From the small island of Chalki in the Dodecanese to the Pindus Mountains, the journey of Alexandros Diakos reminds us that the greatness of the soul, heroism, and love for one’s homeland know no geographical boundaries.
In a statement, the Mayor of Halki, Evangelos Fragakis, said: “Today, here in Samarina, standing before the bust of our fellow islander Alexandros Diakos, I feel deeply moved, filled with boundless respect, and filled with pride. As Mayor of Halki, the place where he was born, I consider it the highest honor and a sacred duty to lay this wreath in memory of a man who offered the most precious thing he had— his very life, for the freedom of our homeland. I would like to warmly thank the Municipality of Grevena, the Community of Samarina, and the family of Mrs. Fani Mokia for the invitation and their excellent hospitality. Alexandros Diakos does not belong only to Chalki. He belongs to all of Greece. He belongs to that generation of Greeks who did not hesitate to stand up to danger, defending our freedom, dignity, and national independence. Eighty-six years later, we stand in awe of his sacrifice. A sacrifice that reminds us that freedom is not granted, but is won through struggle, faith, and often with the very blood of those who defend it. For us, the people of Chalki, Alexandros Diakos is an integral part of our history and identity. He is one of our own, who, from a small Aegean island, found himself on the front lines of the struggle and passed into eternity. Today we are not merely laying a wreath. We are expressing the gratitude of an entire island, the respect of younger generations, and the promise that his sacrifice will never be forgotten. Chalki bows its head in honor of its heroic son. Pindos keeps his sacrifice alive. And all of Greece honors his memory. Alexandros Diakos—Immortal!”
Meanwhile, on Sunday, November 1, 2026—the 86th anniversary of Alexandros Diakos’s heroic sacrifice— the Mayor of Halki, accompanied by a delegation from the island, will attend the annual memorial service held in Zouzouli, Kastoria, following an honorary invitation from the Mayor of Nestorio, Christos Gosliopoulos. The Municipality of Halki and the Municipality of Nestorio are sister cities, and the memory of the hero is honored each year at the initiative of the Municipality of Nestorio.
This symbolic act of honor serves as a meaningful reminder of everyone’s responsibility to keep historical memory alive and to pass on to younger generations the values of freedom, bravery, unity, and national dignity to younger generations. For the Municipality of Chalki, preserving the memory of Alexandros Diakos is an enduring historical and moral duty.
