LT Kyriakos Papadopoulos – A true hero of our times
Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjnj5B2GCvc
LT Kyriakos Papadopoulos of the Hellenic coast guard is a real example for us.
Hailed as the “hero of the Aegean,” Papadopoulos is credited with commanding a patrol boat that rescued more than 5,000 refugees and migrants on the perilous crossing from Turkey to Greece, most at the peak of the crisis in 2015.” (quote from above link)
The documentary depicts an ideal coast guard member. I like to point your attention to the dinner scene in the documentary. In the background, when the political impact of the stream of refugees was discussed, and matters of logistics and politics were heard, LT Papadopoulos remained silent. I listened quietly and did not comment.
Regardless of the political challenges, there is no doubt in this man how lives must be saved at all cost and no matter what it takes. He takes his crew and boat out to the open sea, again and again, saving more people from drowning.
LT Papadopoulos passed away at the age of 44 in 2018.
Recently, the Farcastle FRC was rechristened to remember the name of the Hero of the Aegean.
Commanded by SCPO Celine, SLCG Station Farcastle CO, we shall not forget this man’s stoic heroism.
“In a way, I panic, too. I’m scared. I can’t reassure them. It’s impossible
when I look into their eyes; I see their memories of war. They come from war. They escape the bombs that fall on their homes.
And we see these families in the Greek sea;
losing each other in the Greek sea, in the sea of a peaceful country.
Because of the way they have to cross.”
(Quote from him from the documentary.)
Submitted by:
LT Tersimus