UNCLE OF RICHEY ONE OF OLDEST WWI VETS

During World War I, Arthur Gallion spent nine days hiding in the woods behind enemy lines. His only liquid was drinking from mud puddles and he ate slugs for dinner. Fortunately, Gallion escaped and is alive today to pass down the stories to his family members.

Gallion, a 100-year-old man who now lives in Grayson, Ky., is one of America's oldest living World War I veteran. His great nephew, Michael Richey, is a Cape Girardeau attorney, who frequently and proudly tells his uncle's stories.

"When I first met him I was in awe of him," Richey said. "It was pretty remarkable that he was in such good spirits and had such a good memory to tell us these stories that are part of history."

Gallion, who served in the U.S. Army's Infantry, was recently featured in the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars magazines and has received national recognition for being one of the oldest living veteran of the first World War.

Gallion never made a career out of the army; he went back to civilian life after his 19-month tour was over.

"Once he made it back alive, he said that was the end of army life for him," Richey said.

He spent his days in World War I serving under the famous Gen. John Pershing and even met with the nation's 28th president, Woodrow Wilson.

"He talks about how things were different back then -- how they had teams of mules pulling cannons," Richey said.

Richey recently gave a speech at the Cape Girardeau Lions Club in honor of his great uncle.

"We started a new policy there that when we introduce a program we have to get up and tell a little vignette about a family member or a good friend whom we admire," Richey said. "And I admire him tremendously. He's a sweet man, but he's also a very tough old guy too."