FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. - After more than 10 years in cyber space, the U.S. Army Public Affairs Hall of Fame has found a permanent and physical home at the Defense Information School.
DINFOS and the Army Public Affairs Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 18 to celebrate the official opening of the hall of fame on the school's second floor.
Although the hall of fame is more than 10 years old, it has not had a physical location until its arrival at DINFOS.
Since 2000, when the hall of fame was founded by former public relations chief retired Maj. Gen. John G. Meyer, eight classes of public relations professionals have been inducted. Meyer said 50 individuals have been inducted into the hall of fame for "exemplary efforts in peace and war since World War I."
The hall of fame was created to honor the accomplishments and contributions of past civilian and Soldier Army public relations specialists and to remind current professionals of what the legacy of their field is, Meyer said.
"You can learn from the hall of fame heroes -- how to overcome challenges, how to improve and how to prosper," he said during his speech. "These wonderful and capable men and women found a way in the most difficult circumstances to save the Army's public standing. And by harkening to those examples, you can too."
Among those already in the hall of fame are Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the first person to be formally assigned as a public relations officer; Col. Franklin S. Forsberg, who helped start Stars and Stripes; and Sgt. Maj. Gary Beylickjian, who addressed the writing, photography, design and layout of Army newspapers.
"When I look at the pictures on the wall ... I get a gigantic case of humility," Meyer said. "Their accomplishments are vast, meaningful and everlasting."
Sgt. Maj. Richard Puckett, the sergeant major of Army Public Affairs, said DINFOS is the ideal home for the hallway that honors the Army Public Affairs legacy.
"There couldn't be a better location," he said. "Considering this is the home of military public affairs, there is no better place to have the hall of fame dedicated, exist and endure."
The long, white hallway contains more than a series of photographs -- it is "a living, breathing hallway" as more public relations professionals are added, said Puckett.
Master Sgt. Terrence Hayes, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Army Public Affairs Center at the Pentagon, said a lengthy selection process determines individuals worthy of induction.
Each year from 2000 to 2008, at least two people have been inducted into the hall of fame. Although no one was inducted in 2009 and 2010 due to lack of nominations, Hayes said a 2011 class of three members has already been decided and will be announced later this year.
To be inducted, the candidate must have been retired or separated from military service for more than three years or deceased; rank does not matter. Once the individual is nominated by colleagues, the nomination moves onto a committee of senior leadership from the Army Public Affairs Center and a member of the hall of fame.
Candidates may be nominated five times. After five years, the public relations specialist is no longer considered for induction.
"We don't just induct everybody," Hayes said. "They must come with distinct qualifications and a distinct legacy they've made on the career field."
Meyer, who was inducted in 2005, said he was "extremely proud and honored to be selected into this prestigious group" and that he was proud that his colleagues are the ones who nominated him.
"I was proud because those who worked for me thought enough of me to take the time to fill out the application and try and see if I could get selected," he said. "Truth be known, they taught me everything I know about public affairs."
During his remarks, Meyer said his induction into the Public Affairs Hall of Fame was a significant accomplishment for his military career.
"It was an honor to have been the chief of Army Public Affairs," he said. "It was a greater honor to be selected to the hall of fame."
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