Sunday June 7, 1998 His Excellency General Michel Aoun started his day by visiting Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica, Australia's second largest church. There more than two thousand people anxiously waiting for his Excellency's arrival, were chanting patriotic songs. In the sermon, prepared by Father Maroun Moussa, he stressed on the leader that does not work toward his own glorification, but the leader that sacrifices himself for the glory of his people and country. After the mass, H. E. General M. Aoun accompanied by his wife Mrs. Nadia Aoun, his daughter Miss Chantal Aoun, Mr. Joseph Aoun, and a large of people went to the Maronite Monastery of the Holy Family. There they attended a cocktail prepared by the nuns of monastery for the occasion. As people gathered in the monastery's courtyard waving Lebanese flags and chanting different songs, H. E. General M. Aoun greeted them from the monastery's balcony: "I never felt I was away from you, or you away from me. You were in my conscious as I was in yours. Where one sees your happy faces and big hearts, one does not fear for our country Lebanon. Because of you Lebanon will never die. Lebanon exists in every corner in the world, and with your help we will bring back the Lebanon we all know. I think it won't be long before we all meet again in an independent and free Lebanon. I thank you for coming, Long Live Lebanon. In the monastery, General Aoun talked with the guests that came to see him, and he asked everyone to continue their work for the sake of Lebanon. He reassured them that the future will hold the fruits of their strife and perseverance. Later the Head of the Monastery, Irene Ghosson, and Mother Constanse Al Basha presented His Excellency with the Holy Bible. Also a picture of General Aoun was taken with the nuns of the monastery. COPYRIGHT FREE LEBANON 1998. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED