Donation allows full WWII parade in Greece

A private Greek oil company provides money needed to again have tanks and jet fighters join the parade

By AP 29 October 2013, 10:49 am

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A child holds a Greek flag as he passes with his father next to graffiti depicting an anti Nazi Symbol and reading in Greek 'Action replace tears' during a parade commemorating Greece's entry in World War II in 1940, in central Athens, on Monday, Oct. 28, 2013. (photo credit: AP Photo / Petros Giannakouris)

THESSALONIKI, Greece — For three years, Greece’s financial crisis had prompted the country to cut back on its annual celebration of its entry into World War II in 1940.

But a donation by a private Greek oil company changed that Monday, providing money needed to once again have tanks and jet fighters join the parade in Thessaloniki city.

Because of spending cuts imposed as part of Greece’s 240 billion-euro ($325 billion) bailout agreements, only people marching on foot could join the parades in 2010, 2011 and 2012. But the anonymous donation brought back the parade’s traditions.

Thousands of police were on hand Monday, anticipating demonstrations by left-wing parties and opponents of Greece’s austerity measures. But few protesters appeared on the scene.