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Sent in by Veterans News and Information Services
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, May 8, 2000) -- Mort Walker, creator of the "Beetle Bailey" comic strip, will be honored during a Pentagon ceremony May 24 at 2 p.m. in the DOD Press Room.
The Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service will be awarded to Walker by Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera.
Since 1950, Walker has entertained readers by cartooning the internationally renowned comic strip "Beetle Bailey." His ingenuity in portraying the Army in a humorous manner has contributed to the morale of soldiers, past and present, throughout the world, Army leaders said.
Walker will celebrate his 50th Anniversary penning "Beetle Bailey" in September.
The award will recognize not only his comic view of the Army, but also his contributions to the service through the years.
He has supported the building of a World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., to be located at the east end of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.
Four years ago, President Clinton dedicated the site, which will honor all military veterans of the war, citizens on the home front, and the nation at large. Ground breaking is expected this Veteran's Day.
Also of note, in 1999, Walker drew a special comic strip publicizing -- through his characters Beetle and Sarge -- a Noncommissioned Officers Association World War II Memorial Honor Walk.
The strip appeared in 1,800 newspapers and the walk, a fundraiser for the memorial, wound through six states and 144 cities, villages and military installations.
The characters Walker creates, he has said, are based on his real-life friends and acquaintances from his Army days. He was drafted into the Army in 1943, advanced from private to lieutenant and served in the Air Corps, Signal Corps, Engineers, Infantry, Ordnance, Intelligence and Investigating branches until his discharge in 1946.
In addition to the awards ceremony, Walker will be the guest of honor at a Twilight Tattoo hosted by the Office, Chief of Public Affairs and the Military District of Washington at 7 p.m. May 24 on the White House Ellipse. The tattoo features the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own."
Link to original news item: http://www.dtic.mil/armylink/news/May2000/a20000508mortwalker.html
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