Pittsburgh Review

Military honors earned by late Korean War U.S. Army veteran Timothy Marahoris have been returned to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral after a search found he had no close living relatives to take them, but close ties to his church.

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity returned 10 medals and ribbons to Cathedral Dean Father Michael Varvarelis during a ceremony at the cathedral, a recent news release from the treasurer’s office said. Marahoris was a member of the cathedral’s congregation and passed way at 80 years old in 2010. 

“Today’s return is unique and shows how important military decorations are to someone’s story,” Garrity said in the release. “I’m grateful that Timothy’s memory and service are being honored in this way. Although he had no living relatives, it’s evident that the congregation of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral is indeed his family, and I’m honored to return his medals to them today.”

The medals and decorations included an Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Good Conduct Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Korean Service Medal with Star Pin, Korean Service Ribbon with Star Pin, United Nations Korea Medal, United Nations Korea Ribbon, Korean War Service 50th Anniversary Medal and Korean War Service 50th Anniversary Ribbon.

Marahoris’ parents immigrated to the U.S. from Greece when he was a child, the release said. He did not get married or have children. The Treasury conducted a search to find living relatives, but having found none they went on with their search. They discovered that he had strong ties in Harrisburg and the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

Varvarelis noted that the cathedral is “very honored” to receive the military medals and ribbons.

“Mr. Marahoris was a respected member of our Holy Trinity Parish community, and we feel blessed to be a part of this wonderful ceremony to honor his memory,” Varvarelis said.

The Treasury has actively worked to return unclaimed property, especially with regard to military decorations; the release said. Garrity has returned 314 military decorations, including four Purple Hearts and three Bronze Stars. There are still 500 decorations that are waiting to go to family members of veterans who have passed away. They are never auctioned off and stay in a vault until claimed. Items date back to almost every conflict and war and with every military branch. They not only include medals and awards but also dog tags, pins, buttons and other items.