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“We [AHEPA] raised more money than any other single war effort during WWII. The following year we initiated President Harry Truman. Now we are saving lives of our veterans with this program.”
George Karatzia, National Chairperson
Our Local Initiative
Our Local Initiative
Honoring the first Greek-American killed in WWI from Iowa
Honoring the first Greek-American killed in WWI from Iowa
Gus D. Chimpanes (born Konstantinos D. Tsimpanis ) was KIA in September of1918 in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel just two month before the armistice was signed on November, 11, 1918.
He was born to Dimitrios and Katerina Tsimpanis in 1895 in the village of Vervena, Greece located in the heart of the Peloponnese. On the 22nd of October 1911 he arrived at Ellis Island aboard the S.S. Themistocles sailing out of Patras. From there he joined his other cousins, Konstantinos, Vasilios, and Stylianos working together at a confectionary owned by the family in the small Iowa community of Wilton.
On 5 June 1917 he registered for the United States Army and was assigned to the 26th Infantry Division, to be know later as the “Yankee Division”. It was formally activated on 22 August of that year in Boston, Massachusetts, and it was celebrated by Boston writers and by composers in pieces such as "The Yankee Division March" and "Battery A March."
Shortly thereafter, the division commander, Major General C. R. Edwards, called a press conference to determine a nickname for the newly formed division. Edwards decided to settle on the suggestion of "Yankee Division" since all of the subordinate units of the division were from New England. Shortly thereafter, the division approved a shoulder sleeve insignia with a "YD" monogram to reflect this.
They were then deployed in March 1918 to the Chemin des Dames area where the men had their first experience with defensive and offensive operations and with poison gas. Next, they were deployed in April 1918 to the Toul Sector in the American sector near the Beaumont Zone.
Next, they deployed in July 1918 to the Chateau Thierry area and were involved in the battles of the Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne and the Second Battle of the Marne (15 July – 6 August). They fought at Trugny, Épieds, and the La Fere Forest.The 102nd was deployed to Saint-Mihiel fighting at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. It was at this battle that Pvt. Gus Chimpanes was killed in battled and ultimately being interred at the St. Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiaucourt, France.
He was the first from Wilton, Iowa to be killed in WWI and served in the same division as Medal of Honor recipient and fellow Greek immigrant Geroge Dilboy and George Menchios. In honor of Gus Chimpanes and his sacrifice the local VFW in Wilton Iowa was and remains named after him. It is because of this that many believe that Pvt. Gus Chimpanes is recognized as the first Greek-American KIA from Iowa during WWI.
Our Chapter's goal is to sponsor our first service dog in 2022 and name him after Pvt. Gus Chimpanes or more simply, "Pvt. Gus".
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AHEPA 192
202 SE 30th St
Ankeny, IA 50021
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On a National Level
On a National Level
AHEPA’s involvement in the K9 for Warriors effort was started by Garden State Chapter 517 in partnership with the Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund in 2016 when our chapter sponsored AHEPA’s first service dog ( a beautiful black lab who will be named “AHEPA”) .
These wonderful dogs help veterans suffering from (PTSD). This K9 for Warriors program became a National Project at the AHEPA 2016 Convention.
Chapter 517 was appointed by the National Projects Committee to coordinate this effort and to manage the funds through a 501c3 corporation formed for this purpose.
AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors can help create customized training programs for PTSD Service Dogs to help those who are suffering and living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
PTSD Dogs are trained to:
•Assistance in a medical crisis
•Provide treatment related assistance
•Assistance in coping with emotional overload
•Perform security enhancement tasks
A Specially Trained PTSD Dog can provide a sense of security, calming effects, and physical exercise that can make a positive difference in the life of those that suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Like all assistance dogs, a psychiatric service dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks that mitigate their handler's disability. Training may include providing environmental assessment (in such cases as paranoia or hallucinations), signaling behaviors (such as interrupting repetitive or injurious behavior reminding the handler to take medication, retrieving objects and guiding the handler from stressful situations. PTSD Service Dogs can literally change the life of a Veteran or other persons with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD Service dogs can help a Veteran remain calm by preventing people from crowding around or rushing up behind in public places which will provide a comfortable space for the Veteran or PTSD sufferer.
PTSD Service Dogs can:
•help adjust serotonin levels
•help lower blood pressure
•help with episodes of depression
•provide companionship
•calm their handler
•preventing people from crowding around or rushing up on their handler
Learn more about the national program at https://ahepa-servicedogs.org
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