The National Hellenic Society (NHS) marked the 250th anniversary of American independence with its 10th Annual Heritage Weekend & Classic, held October 9–11 in Washington, D.C., honoring the organization’s four founders and highlighting the influence of ancient Greek civilization on the founding principles of the United States.
Under the theme “Celebrating Our Heritage. Honoring Our Legacy. Inspiring Our Future,” the three-day gathering brought together members of the Greek-American community, scholars, prominent professionals and distinguished guests for a series of discussions and celebrations centered on Hellenic heritage and American democracy.
A centerpiece of the weekend was the October 10 gala at the historic Library of Congress, where NHS paid tribute to its four founding leaders, known as the “Four Georges”: George Behrakis, the late Dr. George Korkos, George Marcus and George Stamas.
“As the Greek American community convenes in Washington, D.C. to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with a tribute to the nation’s philhellenic Founding Fathers, we are proud to honor our own ‘Four George’ leaders,” NHS Chairwoman Lea Soupata said in a statement announcing the event.
Soupata also emphasized the lasting influence of classical Greek political thought on American leaders, including Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, James Madison and John Adams.
National Hellenic Society Honors Hellenic Values and American Leadership
The weekend’s program featured a keynote address delivered by retired four-star U.S. Army General Andrew Poppas, the highest-ranking Greek-American in U.S. military history.
Poppas served for 37 years in the military, including as commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command and director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.
The gathering also featured panel discussions examining the ancient Greek concepts of aretē, or excellence, and politeia, referring to civic responsibility, and their continuing relevance to American political institutions.
Throughout the weekend, the program featured presentations and discussions by a distinguished group of guest speakers, including former Greek Foreign Minister and current Member of Parliament Dora Bakoyannis; President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee Isidoros Kouvelos; former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Sid Ganis; Greek MP and PASOK parliamentary spokesperson Pavlos Yeroulanos; William J. Antholis, Director and CEO of the University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs; Deborah Wince-Smith, President and CEO of the Council on Competitiveness; C. L. Max Nikias, President Emeritus of the University of Southern California; Katherine Benvin Quinn, widow of legendary actor Anthony Quinn; Dr. Matthew Spalding, Dean of Hillsdale College’s Van Andel Graduate School of Government; Sean Hemingway, Chief Curator of Greek and Roman Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art; and renowned classical archaeologist John McKesson Camp II, an authority on ancient Athens.
NHS Executive Director Art Dimopoulos emphasized the significance of connecting the organization’s founders with the democratic ideals that shaped the United States.
“As a proud association of visionary Greek American leaders dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and promoting our rich Hellenic heritage with an emphasis on the next generation, it is only fitting that we converge the honors for our NHS founders with the great wisdom of classical Greece,” Dimopoulos said of the gathering.
Connecting Future Generations to Their Greek Roots
Beyond the formal discussions and gala, the Heritage Weekend program included cultural activities and opportunities to explore Washington landmarks, including museums and buildings reflecting classical Greek architectural influences.
The gathering also highlighted NHS initiatives aimed at strengthening younger generations’ ties to their Greek ancestry.
Through its Heritage Greece program, the organization has sponsored more than 1,100 young Greek-Americans on educational and cultural journeys to Greece.
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