Greek Firefighters and Forest Service Little Tujunga Hot Shots Captain Meet Governor Schwarzenegger

  • John Heil, Public Affairs Specialist, Regional Office
Governor Schwarzenegger stands in an office near an American and a California state flag, speaking with five firefighters.

Governor Schwarzenegger talks with firefighters in his office at the Capitol building in Sacramento.

Five Greek firefighters who received training and assisted on various fires in Southern California received a grand sendoff on August 7, 2008 with congratulations from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Panagiotis Provos, Georgios Kafkas, Ioannis Kolovos, Georgios Pasoulas and Konstantinos Tsakiris along with one of the Captains of the Little Tujunga Hot Shot crew—Oscar Vargas—had the opportunity to meet Governor Schwarzenegger and each received the Governor's coin with a handshake for their efforts in assisting fires in Southern California. The crew also presented the Governor with a pin. This came on the heels of their opportunity to see Arnold Schwarzenegger's star in Hollywood's Walk of Fame on one of their few days off.

The Greeks have also had the opportunity to see Yosemite National Park, Las Vegas, Six Flags Amusement Park, Long Beach, Santa Monica, Malibu, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and even fulfill their dreams of swimming in the Pacific Ocean.

"Everyone was thrilled to meet the Governor," said Vargas. "He told the Greeks how much he appreciated their dedication to firefighting service."

The Governor also mentioned his fondness of the Greek fitness/athletic programs.

Governor Schwarzenegger poses in office with two Forest Service employees and five Greek firefighters wearing their uniforms

Governor Schwarzenegger, center, with Forest Service and Greek firefighters.

Rula Manikas, Executive Assistant to the Governor and a Greek American, spoke Greek with the crew and exchanged addresses with them. She also showed them a ceremonial sword in the Governor's outer office and gave everyone a cigar with the Governor's name on the wrapper. The Greeks also had the opportunity to tour the state capitol twice, once before meeting the Governor, with Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist, Martha Maciel, and once after meeting Schwarzenegger with a Greek speaking tour guide. They learned how bills are passed and got to see the architecture of the State Capitol building.

Following the tour, the crew left to go to San Francisco, where Vargas showed them around the city. "They got to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf and drive up some of the steep streets of San Francisco," said Vargas. "They had a great time. They really didn't want to leave, but their country needs them now."

The crew left for Athens the following morning.

"This was a wonderful opportunity," said Crew Superintendent Robert Garcia who heads up the Little Tujunga Hot Shots. "I'm very pleased they were able to meet the Governor. We made sure they got around and saw a lot of the West Coast when they had some time off."