Beetle Bailey was known to be a lazy Army private, but the creator of the popular comic strip is getting accolades from top military brass and others as he ­celebrates his 90th birthday.

Mort Walker is receiving good wishes from Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Dolly Parton and even Prince Albert of Monaco. Walker's birthday is Tuesday. He lives in Stamford, Conn.

In 2010 as the comic strip marked its 60th anniversary, he told the Associated Press that he would continue with his creation until he's no longer able.

The comic strip featuring Beetle Bailey, Sarge and his dog, Otto, Gen. Amos Halftrack and Miss Buxley has more than 200 million readers in 52 countries.

'Made in America' rocks Philly

Beyoncé closed the first day of her husband Jay-Z's second annual music festival with a 90-minute set that featured hits like "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" and "Crazy In Love." She was the headline performer Saturday at the "Budweiser Made In America" festival in Philadelphia that included 50,000 fans. "Welcome to Made In America," she yelled. "Show me how loud you can be." Beyoncé performed more than a dozen songs on the main stage — much like her "Mrs. Carter World Tour," which wrapped in Brooklyn last month. She closed with "Halo," kicking the song off with Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You." The Grammy-winning singer — not a usual on the festival circuit — didn't perform any new material that could hint at a possible new album. Another surprise was Jay-Z: The rapper didn't join Beyoncé onstage. Her sister, Solange, was part of the festival lineup on Sunday.

associated press