NORTH STAR — North Star American Legion Post 174 honored three of its members Sunday night at a special gathering here.

Commander Jim Bergman presented certificates to two 60-year members — John Waggoner and Earl Grilliot — and honored another member, Charles Dunwoody, for his approaching 100th birthday [April 15].

A meal was served and included a special cake made for Dunwoody by Irene Jones.

Waggoner said his service time in the Army was spent at Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Mead, Maryland, and Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

“I came out as an operating room technician,” said Waggoner, who lives in the North Star area. “I was in the Army for two years, from March 7, 1951, until I got out in 1953.”

Grilliot, 96, of Versailles, said he was in the medics during his stint in the Army. He spent his time — three years, six months, 20 days [July 1942 to Feb. 26, 1946] — at Kennedy General Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He said he was a corporal.

Dunwoody was recognized and was able to get a glimpse of his birthday cake before it got sliced to serve for dessert after the meal. More on him will appear later on in the week in The Daily Advocate.

The rest of the evening was spent by those in attendance playing cards and bingo, the passing out of prizes and fellowship.

North Star American Legion Commander Jim Bergman, second from left, recognized these three men [from left to right, Earl Grilliot, Charles Dunwoody and John Waggoner] at a special program Sunday evening; Grilliot and Waggoner for 60 years with the Legion and Dunwoody for his upcoming 100th birthday.

https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_northstarveteransPRINT.jpgNorth Star American Legion Commander Jim Bergman, second from left, recognized these three men [from left to right, Earl Grilliot, Charles Dunwoody and John Waggoner] at a special program Sunday evening; Grilliot and Waggoner for 60 years with the Legion and Dunwoody for his upcoming 100th birthday.