The Testimonial of Milton Gust

On Nov. 8th 2025, the AHEPA family gathered in great numbers to honor a true pillar of our Order—Brother Milton A. Gust—at a moving Testimonial Luncheon held in his honor.

The afternoon reflected the depth of Brother Milton’s legacy, spanning over five decades of service to AHEPA and the District 10 Educational Foundation, where his leadership and devotion have shaped generations of scholars and stewards of Hellenism.

During the ceremony, District Governor Othon Economopoulos, Lieutenant Governor and Master of Ceremonies Merek Vincent, and Chair of the Board of Governors James Thomas presented commemorative plaques to the families of the Original Six Founders of the Educational Foundation — Nick Georges, Bethania Gregory, Georgia Sekles, and First Foundation Chair Lucille Koken (accepted on behalf of her St. Nicholas Parish) — alongside surviving founders Brothers Chris Kontos and Milton Gust.

In keeping with AHEPA’s most time-honored testimonial traditions, Brother James Thomas presented Brother Milton with a personal engraved AHEPA sword, symbolizing his lifelong defense of education, philanthropy, and Hellenic ideals. He was further recognized with a special glass award from Governor Economopoulos and a letter of commendation from the Office of the Governor of Michigan.

The event was filled with heartfelt speeches and memories as members recounted Brother Milton’s decades of quiet strength and dedication. With emotion, he thanked the Order, the Foundation, and his brothers and sisters for their support throughout his lifetime of service.

Special thanks are extended to Peggy Collias and Joanne Dau and James Thomas for their indispensable assistance with the setup and cleanup that made this beautiful event possible.

We thank Brother Milton for his many years of devotion to our Order, our youth, and our community. May his example continue to inspire us all.

Axios, Brother Milton Gust!