To the Family of Doujon Zammit - We Apologise!

What is there to say to Doujon Zammit's family? What can we say to alleviate the pain? Words are meaningless at such moments. We just feel the need, along with 11 million other people living in Greece, and probably the 7 million expatriate Greeks all over the world, to pay our respects and to apologise from the bottom of our hearts for the dreadful events that terminated the life of your beloved Doujon in this beautiful country.

What can we say to that wonderful family, who despite the tragedy that has befallen them, rose above it all and decided to spare 4 other families from mourning their loved ones, by donating Doujon's vital organs for transplant. How can we not admire a father who has just lost his son in such a brutal fashion who has the strength and nobility of spirit to say that he had no hatred in his heart for the Greek people just for the ones that took away his son's life in such a brutal fashion. Everyone who saw Mr Oliver Zammit on television was moved to tears by the dignity, the strength, God only knows where he found it, and the magnitude of his generosity at such a dreadful time.

What worse could befall a parent? Every parent's worst nightmare come true and one he surely didn't expect when he and his family farewelled Doujon for his first overseas trip. He told us that he had encouraged his son to come to Greece because it was safer...I couldn't help but think when I heard that, that one's destiny is something that no mortal can change. Could it be that Doujon had his destiny marked out for him as we all have? He came into this world for a reason and, if we believe in God, then we must believe that he must also have been taken away from this world for a reason.

We were all outraged at this senseless violence - the people of Mykonos staged a protest against the thuggery and brutality of the cold-blooded murder by forming a human chain along the waterfront - Families, men and women of all ages, from babies to grandparents, all joined their hands in protest to show their support and solidarity with Doujon's family at these very difficult moments. However, we must all protest in our own way at the 'lawlessness' that has taken over our daily lives in Greece and leads to things like this. We live with so much endemic corruption that we take it for granted - we have almost acquired auto-immunity, but enough is enough. Doujon's murder and his family's stance have touched us all in a way that we hope will motivate us all to better things and to expect no less from the powers-that-be, starting from the exemplary punishment of all those to blame, and all those who act in ways that belittle and discredit this beautiful country and undermine its glorious history.

To Doujon's family - our deepest and sincerest condolences and may you find strength and comfort in the knowledge that everyone in Greece is with you and thanks you for the dignity, generosity and above all the humanity you showed in the face of what had to be the worst moment of your lives-the devastating and so premature loss of your beloved Doujon.
May he Rest in Peace...