Tomorrow we celebrate the memorial service of the hero raider of 33 MK Andreas Kostis Karalouka, who fell fighting in Agios Ilarion along with his commander Georgios Katsani, with the wish that his martyrs bones were found.
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HEROES OF 1974
THE-year-old brave man of MARATHOVOUNOS
Andreas Kostis Karaloukas was the fourth of the 11 children of Simeon and Chrystallas Karalouka from Marathovouno. Born November 12, 1956 and raised in a multi-member family with values and especially indestructible such as dignity, honesty, philotimo, love for country and faith in God. He studied at his village primary school and when he graduated he entered the biopali since he was a kid. A-year-old boy helped his father with his farm work and then worked as a builder. Since 1971, Simeon's father had created a mosaic factory with his partner Andrea Vrakas, also from Marathon. Andreas later worked at his father's factory which was then perfected and equipped with modern machinery. Both his older brothers, Vasos and Kostas worked at the same factory.
In January 1974, at the age of only 17 he joined the National Guard as a volunteer to serve his military service. He served in the 33th seal squadron and after hard training he managed to get the rank of Corporal.
Early July 1974, a few days before the betrayal coup, he had visited his parent s' home to repair his military uniform that he had narrowed him down due to hard training. Proud of recovering Corporal's grade and ready to fully perform his debt to the country, he proud of himself wearing his raider uniform in front of his parents and brothers. No one could have imagined at that moment that a few days later Andreas would well honor this uniform.
On July 15, when the coup took place, Andreas had contacted his parents, reassuring them that he was well.
On July 20, when the Turkish invasion took place, besides Andrea in the war were both his older brothers, Vasos and Kostas, who were also a raider.
On July 20, 1974 the 33th seal squadron was ordered to occupy Saint Ilarion. Under adverse circumstances, the raiders hungry and thirsty fought like lions to repel the Turkish attack after their enemy hit them ruthlessly from land and air.
At midnight on July 20, the boys of the 33th fate of the 33th Raiders gunned by their day effort, overwhelmed by physical fatigue and watching Pentadactyl burn by the ruthless arson of the Turkish air force come to life in them again the Panhellenic oaths and they move unwanted on the path that duty requires.
<< ' That first night
Tear the moon,
The stars were mourning and dripping
Their tear is poison.
With a bitter complaint...
War complaint
Cross eagles were standing
And they kept freedom... >>
On the dawn of Sunday, July 21, 1974 finds heroic raiders very close to Agios Ilarion. At 9 in the morning, on the right wing of the 33th seal squadron, Major Georgios Katsani's commander, assisted by four raiders, one of whom was Andreas Kostis Karaloukas, 50 meters behind a large rock two other raiders were hidden, which provided coverage to five people. Some other raiders also provided coverage without visual contact with the commander and four other raiders due to the peculiarity of the ground. While the battle was happening, Commander Georgios Katsanis in his attempt to take a promoted battle position falls dead from a Turkish sniper sphere. As Georgios Katsanis fell to the ground, continuous pollutants of automatic weapons literally raided that spot for several minutes. The Turks with a storm of fire pinned down the group of four raiders, and the rock became perforated by the hundreds of bullets it took. Repeated and desperate attempts of two raiders from the team of four to turn around and help their commander proved fruitless. Andreas saw his commander fall next to him dead and did not faint but continued to guard heat doors. He fights alone and with many faithful to the eternal checks of Greek history. According to testimony of his surviving comrade Andreas was also hit by a bullet of a free shooter in the neck and fell watering with his blood, like so many other brave comrades, Saint Ilarion.
The family is waiting for the blessed time to bury the bones of hero martyr Andrea. Andrea's father passed away on 6/9/1997 with the sorrows of a refugee for returning and father who never buried his son. Mother's heartache unbearable but also her patience endless. Those who met him and shared with him some moments in his life speak in the best words about Andrea's character and ethics. His memory will remain unquenchable in our hearts and his sacrifice will be a bright beacon that illuminate us the way to the freedom of our homeland.
Irene Karaloukas
sister fallen
