75-year Legionnaire 'an inspiration' to others

When World War II veteran Charlie Williams hit the 75-year membership mark in The American Legion in March, he was unable to attend an event or celebration at his post in Statesboro, Ga. Ellis, 102, currently is staying at Ogeechee Area Hospice’s respite care program while recovering from a fall.

So members of his post took the celebration to Williams.

On March 31, some of Williams’ fellow Legionnaires from Post 90 headed to the hospice facility to present Williams with a proclamation on behalf of American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard, honoring Williams for his 75 years of membership. Williams also was presented one of Department of Georgia Commander Mark Shreve’s pins.

Williams served in the U.S. Army in Europe, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge under General George Patton, and said a sibling was responsible for him joining the Legion. “My brother got out of the service before I did,” Williams told WTOC. He was a member of the American Legion and I joined just because of him.”

Seventy-five years later, he’s still a member. And that was worth a celebration.

“It’s a special event anytime an American Legion member reaches (75 years of membership),” said Post 90 Commander Lonnie Ellis. “I’ve known four American Legion members that have reached 75 years of membership, and two of them are still living and at over 80 (years) right now.”

Ellis has known Williams since 2012. “Charlie is a humble, kind man,” he said. “The oldest Legion member in the state of Georgia. He worked diligently with The American Legion. He’s not just a member. He was active up until about eight or nine years ago. He was our chaplain. He worked tirelessly with the Boy Scouts of America for many, many years. He’s a mentor. He’s a leader. He’s an inspiration. He helped The American Legion become much of what it is in Statesboro.”

For Post 90, being able to recognize Williams’ 75 years of membership “is an honor and a privilege,” Ellis said. “It says that ‘your time is valuable, and we appreciate the level of commitment you’ve put in.’”

It also shows how strongly Williams believes in The American Legion. “It’s not always about being able to come down to the (post),” Ellis said. “Mr. Charlie, fortunately, was able to do that for many years. But even at a point in his life when he is no longer able to attend meetings and contribute in that way, he still maintains his membership because he believes that much in the organization.

“You can’t over-appreciate the enormity of his contributions. You don’t get 75-year members that often.”