Around 8 a.m. on the morning of July 24, 2005 my family was faced with the single most inconceivable and feared nightmare any family can experience, the death of a child. That horrible day our 21-year-old son, brother, grandson and nephew, Andreas, died from injuries sustained in a car accident. Just a mere two minutes from our home, the car in which he was a passenger slammed into a tree. The news of this horrible accident spiraled through our community and before long we were embraced by countless friends and neighbors who, with us, tried to make sense of the senseless.

I know this letter is long overdue and for that, I apologize. On behalf of our family, I appreciate being given this opportunity to say two simple words. Thank you.

To the following: first responders at Roslyn Rescue; the Brookville Police Department; Glenwood Landing EMS and the Nassau County Homicide Detective Division; Glen Cove Police Chief Tim Edwards, then-Lt. William Whitton. Detective Sgt. Thomas Fitzpatrick and Detective Walter Moretto for coming to assist us the next day; Guy Minutoli of Dodge Thomas Funeral Home for his compassion; former Mayor Mary Ann Holzkamp who rushed to my side, knowing what we were experiencing; Father Emmanuel Gratsias and our entire family at Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church including my fellow parish council members; the women of St. Catherine's Philoptochos who, led by Nina Koumoulis, sustained us with nourishment for 40 days; Maria and Tony Bocchino; Tim and Teresa McCarthy; Carla Santella and all my Alex Lane/Valentine Avenue/Second Street friends; my cherished colleagues in Glen Cove City Hall and the Public Works Yard; the hundreds of JetBlue crewmembers from every airport of our great nation who came and offered the kindest words about my son; Peter Koumoulis, Robbie, Vicki and Aristea Hetzer, Sean Basdavanos, Cam and Dom Bocchino, Chris Weick, Brian Fugazy, Victoria Dilgard, Joey and all of Andreas' friends (I love you all); my Glen Cove PTA friends, led by Marion Voegtlen and Maureen Pappachristou; the principals, teachers and staff who believed in Andreas unconditionally and really did celebrate his high school graduation day in June 2001; many thanks to my Anton Community Newspapers friends, especially Angela Susan Anton, for their support; all of you who made donations in Andreas' name to the iconography fund of my church and each of you who contributed to the Andreas Christopoulos Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Thank you to Glen Cove Jr. Soccer, Lacrosse, Football and Cheerleading; GCHS Big Red Girls Lacrosse, coaches, team and moms, Mrs. Cavallo and Mrs. Belifore and to Big Red Boys Lacrosse, coaches and team members who honored my son by wearing his #16 on their helmets all season.

Thank you to Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi for continuing to be the compassionate person I've called 'friend' for 15 years.

Surely I have omitted a name, but please don't think anyone in my family has forgotten you.

Andreas was an extraordinary young man. We are so proud of him and his accomplishments made in just 21 years. Andreas' kindness, friendship, laughter and zest for life influenced everyone he met. To all of you who comforted us during this terrible time, I offer again two simple words. Thank you. We will never forget the love and support all of you gave us so freely.

Peter, Zefy and Sofia Christopoulos and

Andreas' family in the United States and Greece