DOING WHAT'S RIGHT: RETIRED SERVICEMAN KEEPS BUSY WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE

Charles E. Woodford shares some of the same qualities as the Missouri mules he so admires: determination, loyalty and even stubbornness when it comes to getting a project done.

The 74-year-old Cape Girardeau man has worked hard for veterans and other projects throughout the region. His retirement from 26 years in the military has been less than retiring as he continues to work with the local American Legion.

Woodford's efforts prompted the American Legion Auxiliary to nominate him for an Area Wide United Way Volunteer Recognition Award.

Barbara Yallaly, secretary of the auxiliary, praised Woodford for his leadership and fund raising -- giving an estimated 2,500 hours of volunteer service to the American Legion. Projects have ranged from bringing the Moving Wall, a traveling Vietnam veterans' memorial, to Cape Girardeau, to raising money to save the brick pillars at Liberty Corner and to build a chapel at the local Missouri Veterans Home.

He participates in yearly flag retirement ceremonies and presents awards and forums for school children. The list goes on.

Missouriana is also very near and dear to Woodford. His wife of 20 years, Lois, once lived at 740 North Street, where the Missouri State Flag was designed and created by Mrs. Marie Oliver. Woodford decided the house should have a plaque designating it as the birthplace of the Missouri flag. It wasn't long before the plaque and a ceremony were a reality.

While researching state flag history, Woodford was shocked to learn the mule wasn't the Missouri state animal.

"Missouri had a state insect, rock, mineral and fossil, but no official animal. I decided to see to it that the mule had its rightful place. Mules are Missouri," he said.

Woodford and the local American Legion led the lobbying efforts, which included numerous trips to Jefferson City, paid for out of his own pocket.

His efforts paid off when the governor signed the bill designating mules as the state animal on May 31, 1995.

He's not one to sit still for very long.

Woodford is already planning strategy for a $200,000 fund drive to build a new American Legion post. The post has been located for years in the 800 block of Broadway, above Beard's Sports Shop. But the stairs are becoming hard to navigate for older members.

He's busy planning the Cape Girardeau County Memorial Day ceremonies, which will be held at the Osage Community Centre this year. He's interim chairman of the Joint Veteran's Council and has been for several years.

He already has his sights set on putting the mule on Missouri's quarter. Each state will have its own quarter under a plan by the federal treasury. Missouri's turn comes in 2003, but Woodford already has a strategy plan. All he's awaiting on is to see who is elected governor in 2000.

He lobbied hard for the mule to be on the Missouri license plate, but was edged out by the river design. But who knows. Woodford isn't one to give up easily.

The Nebraska native joined the Navy when he was just 17.

"I was afraid if I waited the war would be over," he said. "I was wrong." World War II endured another three years, and he served in the Pacific.

After the war, he returned to school for training. He worked as a science teacher in Dexter. He later entered the Air Force, and also served in the Army National Guard.

"I'm just a service bum," Woodford shrugged. "I went in before I decided what I wanted to do in life. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up."

Both Woodford and his wife have a hard time saying no. Lois Woodford is active in the American Legion Auxiliary and has donating many hours for numerous community causes. She has volunteered more than 900 hours at the veterans home alone.

Together, they make a good team, working side by side on many veteran projects throughout the region.

"He needs a project," said Lois Woodford. "He's more exuberant."

Woodford added, "You know what they say. The devil finds work for idle hands."