Over the weekend of October 9-11, Supreme President Kaitson and AHEPA Executive Director attended the National Hellenic Society’s Heritage Weekend and Classic held in Washington, DC. The centerpiece of the four-day gathering was the Excellence Awards Gala on Saturday evening, October 10, in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress, which honored the Society’s four founding figures, the “Four Georges”: George Behrakis (Hellas Ch. 102, Lowell, MA), Dr. George Korkos (recognized posthumously, of Milwaukee Ch. 43, Milwaukee, WI), George Marcus (Silicon Valley Ch. 251, San Jose, CA), and George Stamas. Retired four-star U.S. Army General Andrew Poppas delivered the keynote address, with television journalist Vicki Liviakis serving as Master of Ceremonies.

The weekend also featured a series of panels examining the influence of ancient Greek ideals on America’s founding as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. “Salute to 250: America’s Heroes” brought together Ambassador John Negroponte, Greek MP and former Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, film producer Sid Ganis, and Katherine Benvin Quinn, moderated by William Antholis of the Brookings Institution. A second discussion, “A Salute to America’s Founding Philhellenes,” featured Dr. C. L. Max Nikias, Seán Hemingway, Dr. Matthew Spalding, Dr. John McK. Camp II, and Deborah L. Wince-Smith. The weekend also included business sessions, a Friday evening glendi, and cultural excursions around Washington.