Greeks in America, during the last 100 years, have made impressive and constructive advances in becoming a more cohesive and homogenous group. Greek Americans have volunteered to serve their fellow citizens and have generally been individuals of good education, high personal standards and committed to an open and progressive society. They continue to strive, through business, Greek American organizations and politics for a more complete recognition of their heritage and what it really means to be Greek.

It is difficult, however, to predict the direction of the Greek American community. The high spirited character of the Greeks, the varied degrees of assimilation caused by the infusion of new Greek immigrants and the differing viewpoints found between Greek born and American born Greek Americans are conditions that will shape the destiny of the Greek American community.

Only two general truths seem to emerge and continue when looking at the Greek American experience. One is that assimilation tends to occur much more, and more quickly, than in many other ethnic groups in the United States. The Greeks in America want to be considered American and are proud of their country. The other truth is that the Greek ethnic identity tends to change much less and more slowly. Greek Americans share a common ground, bound by religion and traditional values transposed to the New World by the Greek immigrants. They are very proud of their Hellas. These two identities are bound to conflict and contradict and will make the future outcome of the Greek American community interesting to follow.

These observations seem to hold true for the Greek community of Las Vegas. These Greek Americans did not come to Las Vegas specifically to build a particular Greek community. They came to Las Vegas to be accepted as Americans and have tried to identify and support Las Vegas institutions. But these Greeks also desire a link with their past and their heritage. They want public recognition of their ethnic culture, to not only bring parents and children closer together but to show the wider community the respect they have for their Hellenism.

The central focus in the future of the Greek community of Las Vegas lies in the construction of a new Greek Orthodox Church. Many Greek Americans view their church as a symbol of their unity and cohesiveness. If this Greek community strives together to accomplish this goal, the Greeks of Las Vegas will become a powerful force. However, if this goal is not reached, or is long in coming, the Greek community of Las Vegas will become stagnant, with only a few individuals forming its very existence. It is with much anticipation that we await what the next twenty-five years will bring.