GREETINGS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

International salutations were received from friends and family world-wide including Canada, Lebanon, Finland, Lithuania, Scotland, Montego Bay, Jamaica and throughout the US – with good wishes coming from Florida, New York, Washington, DC, Boston, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina, Houston, Cedar Rapids, Toledo, California and Austin, Texas. Below are messages received from Members of the Press and Former Grade School Clssmates and Teachers of John Akouri:

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Happy birthday, John! I'll be having a toast to you in DC ~ Nedra Pickler, Associated Press

Unfortunately, I'm "stuck" here in sunny San Diego and won't be able to celebrate with you, John. All my best, and HAPPY 40TH!!! ~ Marcella Lee Kuo, CBS Affiliate-KFMB-TV San Diego

Thank God you've finally hit your 40's! ~ Alex Kimbrough, FOX 2 News, Director

Happy Birthday! Wowee! I am sorry that I can't sneak out of Seattle… ~ Sally Farhat, ‘The Sun’ Business Writer

Happy Birthday to you John ~ Karim Haddad, An Nahar Canadian Correspondent

I will pray for many blessings for you and your family! Happy Birthday, my friend! ~ Kevin O'Neill WNIC FM-100.3 Detroit Radio Personality

Wishing You a Happy Birthday! ~ Joe Tabet, Alhurra Television, Washington Correspondent

Happy Birthday John!!! You don't look a day over 30! Seriously ~ Audi Konja, Radio & TV Orient Reporter

Congrats...Best wishes for your 40th birthday! ~ Niraj Warkioo, Detroit Free Press Journalist

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. The birthday of a very dear friend!!!! ~ Tania Mehanna, LBC Beirut Correspondent

Good Luck and Happy Birthday ~ Chuck Gaidica, WDIV-TV4 Detroit Meteorologist

CHAMPAGNE WISHES AND CAVIAR DREAMS

John, I have such fond memories of you and your family. I hope your 40th is exceptional. Thanks for the honor of the invitation ~ Linda Combes Tomala, Jr. High School Choir Teacher

Forty is no laughing matter, and we'd like to be present to make sure laughing is exactly what happens! :-) We'll be thinking of you and raise a toast at Crystal Lake in your honor ~ Sue & Dean Cobb, High School Media Teacher

Congratulations…the extremely happy occasion. Age is beautiful ~ Lucy Koviak, High School Front Office

Happy Birthday John! I met you 26 years ago in 9th grade and am happy we've kept in touch all these years. I'll be in NC for your big day but will be thinking of you! XXOO ~ Iana Dealey, 9th Grade Classmate

Happy 40th Birthday, you old man! Sounds like we missed a great celebration ~ Dan Ryan, High School Chum & John was 'Best Man' at Dan's Wedding

Happy Birthday John! You don't look a day over 39 to me. Now Pete Ceplecha, there's a guy who looks old and how about that Pete Chen, Zowie! But you have held up real well. Toss back a shot of Jaeger for me ~ Mark Smith, Elementary School Classmate

What can I say, "Welcome to the club" and "You still have enough hair on your head to go out on a date" ~ Bob Akouri, Esq., Cousin & Jr. High Classmate

You're only as old as the woman you feel ~ Peter Ceplecha, 4th Grade Best Friend