Springfield’s Greek community celebrates the life of late WWII pilot

SPRINGFIELD — A special Greek Orthodox Mass will be celebrated to honor the late Michael D. Biakis, a Springfield native, parishioner of St. George Greek Orthodox Church and a World War II veteran whose legacy continues to inspire the local community.

The Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at the historic church this Sunday at 22 St. George Road. A reception will be held immediately after the Mass at the Greek Cultural Center across the street from the church.

Biakis was a U.S. Air Force B24 co-pilot, with 37 completed bombing missions over several nations of engagement, including over mainland Germany. His bombing group was part of the Allied effort on D-Day, June 6, 1944. His B-24 was named Little Lulu.

On Jan. 19, 1945 his group was on a training exercise for new crew members over the North Sea. A sudden snow squall caused Little Lulu to get lost, crashing into the ocean. The wreckage was tragically never found.

This past August, the Sailing for Veterans Organization honored Biakis' service, sacrifice and memory in a memorial wreath laying at sea.

The Mass for Biakis and gathering of the Greek community marks the culmination of an effort to properly recognize his service and return his memory to his roots in his East Springfield neighborhood.

The Hampden County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard will be present to honor Biakis. State Sens. John Velis and Adam Gomez will be in attendance to commemorate Biakis' life. Velis is an active-duty major in the U.S. Army Reserve and active member of the Greek community. Gomez is the son of legendary Borinqueneers Vietnam combat veteran Gumersindo Gomez. His brothers and father have been the subject of a documentary for their collective military service.

Questions? Visit stgeorgecath.org/contact-us.

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