The 2000 West Point Society of the District of Columbia Distinguished Member Award is presented to Colonel Howard Merritt Steele, Jr., for his exemplary service to West Point, the West Point Society of the District of Columbia, his class, and to his community. Colonel Steele has exemplified the motto "Duty, Honor, Country" through distinguished and selfless service throughout his active duty and in his subsequent civilian career and retirement.

Colonel Steele retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of distinguished commissioned service. His assignments included the command positions of company, battalion, and brigade and his service included Korea and Vietnam.

Following his retirement he focused his activities on service to the United States Military Academy and its support structure, the military community and the community-at-large. Of particular importance to the members of the Class of 1951 was his service spanning over 21 years as a member of our Class Executive Committee. During this time he developed and implemented a Class Regional Representative Organization, which served to bind the Class into an exceptionally close unit through constant contact with 38 Regional Representatives. Colonel Steele served as coordinator of the activities of the Regional Representatives throughout more than 21 years. During the period he encouraged input of news to the Assembly, ensured Class representation at funerals, and maintained a line of communications between the Regional Representatives and the Executive Committee of the Class.

Colonel Steele has been a member of the West Point Society of the District of Columbia for over 20 years, during which time he served a term as its Treasurer. The financial soundness of the Society is, in large part, due to his organization and management of the funds during his tenure.

During the development of the Army Retirement Residence Foundation-Potomac, Colonel Steele served as a member of its planning group and later on its Board of Directors for several years. During this time he was selected to be the Board's Vice-President for Planning. The success of the Fairfax Residence is a testimony to the energy and dedication of Colonel Steele.

Turning to the community-at-large, Colonel Steele has served for many years as a volunteer counselor with the Virginia Spinal Cord Injury System for newly injured individuals and their families.

For all of these activities for the benefit of West Point, the West Point Society of the District of Columbia, the class of 1951, and the community, while displaying outstanding qualities of character, distinguished service and stature which clearly epitomize the ideals of West Point, it is fitting that the West Point Society of the District of Columbia award Colonel Howard Merritt Steele, USA (Ret), USMA Class of 1951, the Distinguished Member Award.