Robert Dole
Institute
for
Politics
July 20 - 22, 2003
Called the Greatest Generation's Greatest Celebration, young and old alike gathered for a three day celebration, which culminated in the dedication of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas. The dedication on July 22nd coincided with Bob Dole's 80th birthday.
The 10th Mountain Division Living History Display Group traveled from Denver, Cheyenne, Las Vegas, and St. Louis in order to set up a very detailed encampment. Many World War II veterans stopped by the camp and spent time telling stories as each piece of equipment displayed evoked another long, lost memory. The presence of the 10th Mountain Division Living History Display Group was fitting since Bob Dole served in the 10th Mountain Division as a second lieutenant in I Company, 85th Mountain Infantry Regiment.
Fred Harlow & Steve Ryan meet Senator Dole
Other events at the Greatest Generation's Greatest Celebration included a Memory Tent where various World War II veterans told their personal stories, including Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, Tuskegee Airmen, Doolittle's Raiders, Navajo and Comanche Code Talkers, D-Day Veterans, Pearl Harbor Survivors, Holocaust Survivors, and WASPs, WACs, WAVEs, prisoners of war, and others.
A World War II aircraft display at the Lawrence Airport included two B-17s, two P-51 Mustangs, a TBM Avenger, an AT-6 Texan and a P-47D Thunderbolt.
A USO show occurred on Monday, July 21st. Singing and dancing brought back memories for all of the elder guests in the audience. David Little and Fred Harlow of the 10th Mountain Division Living History Group, dressed in World War II class A uniforms, escorted Bob Dole to the USO stage so that he could be serenaded by a group of admirers.
Dignitaries from far and wide traveled to the dedication in Lawrence. Hosted by the Greatest Generation's Greatest Proponent, Tom Brokaw, guest speakers included President Jimmy Carter, Condelezza Rice, Rudy Guiliani, Jack Kemp, Howard Baker, George McGovern, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, and other dignitaries.
More information for the Dole Institute of Politics can be
found at:
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