March 1996, Philadelphia, PA – The Federation of Hellenic American Societies of Philadelphia was sponsoring the annual Greek Independence Day Parade in Center City Philadelphia, and marching in the parade was the members of the Greek Army – the elite Evzones.
For one week leading up to the parade, the FHAS hosted the contingent of soldiers taking them to visit the historic sites of the Philadelphia area, the different Greek-owned restaurants and diners, and the many Greek Orthodox churches. Each morning they were picked up from their hotel and each night dropped back off, and always passing the Hooters restaurant that was next to the hotel.
Finally, on their last day, they asked what was that business so they were taken to Hooters and treated to American cheeseburgers and the Hooters’ waitresses. The waitresses were told they were the Greek National Basketball team!