AHEPA Honors Veterans at 47th Biennial Congressional Banquet

The Order of AHEPA held it’s 47th Biennial Congressional Banquet on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the historic Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. This sold out event brought hundreds of members from across the AHEPA domain to Washington, DC to honor multiple members of Congress as well as the the many veterans that AHEPA includes as members.

Mike Emanuel, Chief Washington Correspondent for FOX News, served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. AHEPA was honored to host, in addition to the banquet’s honorees, Greek Ambassador to the U.S. Antonis Alexandridis, Cypriot Ambassador to the U.S. Evangelos Savva, U.S. Representatives Dina Titus, Thomas Suozzi, Ryan Mackenzie, Gus Bilirakis, and Nicole Malliotakis.

The evening’s honors were as follows:

• Congresswoman Dina Titus introduced and presented Congresswoman Grace Meng with the 2026 AHEPA Pericles Award.
• Colonel Nicholas P. Vamvakias (ret.) received the inaugural Dilboy Veterans Committee Award, speaking to the importance of Veterans in the AHEPA family before local members of the Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena assisted in awarding over 30 veterans in attendance with the AHEPA Medal for Military Service.
• Dan Mariaschin, retiring CEO of B’nai B’rith International, received the 2026 Academy of Achievement award in Civics and Philanthropy.
• Paulette Poulos, retiring Executive Director of Leadership 100 received the 2026 Daughters of Penelope Spirit Award.

Additionally, AHEPA Supreme President Chris Kaitson, Daughters of Penelope Grand President Antoinette Marousis-Zachariades, Sons of Pericles Supreme President Basilios Ronstadt, Maids of Athena Grand President Stephanie Owens, and Chairman of the AHEPA Foundation, Inc., Nicholas A. Karacostas, PSP, spoke throughout the evening.

AHEPA has actively promoted good citizenship and community service initiatives since its establishment in 1922, both within the United States and internationally. Furthermore, the organization has honored those who dedicate themselves to public service since 1927.

An official photo album will be made available in the coming days courtesy of Cosmos Philly.

AHEPA extends a sincere thank you to everyone who attended this year’s signature event, making it the truly special occasion it continues to be.