Activities

Each year, the Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation celebrates National Ernie Pyle Day on Aug. 3, Ernie’s birthday, to honor his outstanding achievements and expertise in journalism.  As a foundation, we decided to continue our virtual celebration of National Ernie Pyle Day with a brand new Tribute Video.

On April 18, we celebrate Ernie Pyle Remembrance Day on the anniversary of his passing. Several years ago, actor Gary Sinise visited Ernie's grave site to give thanks for his accomplishments and dedication to his work.

After collaborating with The Media School at Indiana University on our 2020 tribute video, we updated our 2021 video with a message from U.S. Sen. Todd Young and the announcement of the year's Ernie Pyle Legacy Award for Media.

At the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, we place a floral arrangement by Ernie’s gravesite each year to honor his life and legacy. Every 5 years, we hold a memorial for Ernie. In lieu of our missed ceremony in 2020, a small ceremony was held in 2021 to commemorate the anniversary of his passing.

In lieu of holding an in-person event in 2020, we  partnered with The Media School at Indiana University, Ernie's alma mater, to create a tribute video.

On the campus of Indiana University, festivities included a speech from prominent war correspondent Joseph Galloway; remarks from sculptor Tuck Langland, who made the statue of Ernie Pyle that sits outside Franklin Hall; and a one-man performance by Ronald May, in character as Ernie Pyle.

In 2017, the Foundation announced the creation of National Ernie Pyle Day in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Ernie spent many years. The program included a full day of activities with special guests and dignitaries, color guard, music, keynote speaker Joseph Galloway and a one-man show by local historian Baldwin Burr.

The Ernie Pyle Legacy Foundation restarted a traditional event that originally began in 1949 and continued every five years to honor Ernie. The Foundation also dedicated a memorial stone at the "Punchbowl" cemetery to honor all war correspondents.