Educator, administrator, public servant, lawmaker, volunteer, veteran.

More than 2,000 parachute jumps; 14 trips to Southeast Asia to search for remains of U.S. military listed as missing in action; Wyoming native.

Individually, each a worthy distinction.

Collectively, they describe one man -- Tom Walsh, 66, who on Thursday will receive the prestigious "Others" award from the Salvation Army Advisory Board at its annual awards dinner at 6 p.m. at the Parkway Plaza..

Tickets to the banquet are available today at the Hope Center, 441 S. Center St. Table sponsorships are $300, and individual tickets are $40 each.

The "Others" award is the most distinguished award presented by the Salvation Army. It takes its name from Salvation Army founder William Booth's famed one-word telegram, "Others," symbolizing the Salvation Army's work for the good of others.

In addition to the Others Award presentation, the board will bestow several more awards.

Salvation Army Majors Alfred and Stella Parker, who have been in Casper since this summer, will present the Volunteer of the Year award; and board president Phil Hinds will present the aptly named President's Award.

Bob Price serves as master of ceremonies. Kenn Gilchrist provides inspirational music, and dinner music is provided by the Pembroke Strings.

Speakers presenting Walsh include Gov. Dave Freudenthal, Casper Fire Chief Mark Young, state Rep. Roy Cohee, Casper City Councilman Paul Bertoglio, former Trooper Renee Penton-Jones, former educator Barbara Scifres and former Natrona County School District Superintendent Jim Lowham.

Freudenthal and Major Victor Doughty will present the award to Walsh.

A native of Thermopolis, Walsh received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Wyoming and a doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado.

He taught in Lovell and in Medford, Wis., before serving as principal in Midwest and in Casper at Dean Morgan Junior High and Pineview Elementary. He was assistant superintendent of schools in Natrona County as well.

He served on the Casper City Council and as mayor, and was elected to the state House of Representatives and served on the Revenue Committee as well as Minerals, Business and Economic Development and Transportation and Highways committees.

He retired as lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve after 37 years of service and has made 2,050 parachute jumps. He is a member of the Natrona County Veterans Council burial team and has been to Southeast Asia 14 times at his own expense searching for remains of U.S. military listed as missing in action.

In his community, he has served on the Troopers Foundation board and the Salvation Army Advisory Board, is a member of Casper Rotary Club, and serves as a Wyoming Army Reserve ambassador.

For more information or to reserve tickets, call 234-2002 today.

Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com. Read Sal's blog at tribtown.trib.com/Sal/blog and follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WYOSAS.