Billed as the "Greatest Generation's Greatest Celebration," the Dole Institute of Politics' dedication this summer at KU promises to be an extraordinary event that will serve as a tribute to World War II veterans as well as to one of their greatest heroes and advocates, former Sen. Bob Dole.
The events, scheduled to coincide with Dole's 80th birthday on July 22, will be more than a birthday party for the state's senior statesman, said institute director Richard Norton Smith.
"The institute will not be a shrine to Bob Dole. That is not what he wants," Smith said. "Its mission is the encouragement of public service and civilized debate. At the senator's urging, our dedication will be a salute to the service and sacrifice of the Greatest Generation. It will be the ultimate World War II reunion."
The three-day dedication program, slated for July 20 through 22, will include a World War II air show, military vehicle display and fashion show; a re-created USO-style performance; an evening of dancing to the Glenn Miller Orchestra; and an outdoor band concert as well as the formal dedication.
[Tickets to a pair of high-visibility events will be available next month. Most of these events will be free; all will be open to the public. See details below.]
With limestone walls, soaring stained-glass windows and a large reflecting pool reminiscent of Washington's Tidal Basin, the institute building already is a KU landmark. Once complete, the $11 million, 28,000-square-foot facility will house state-of-the-art exhibits and the world's largest Congressional archive as well as meeting spaces and KU's first satellite uplink.
A 14-foot replica of the Kansas state seal will be one of several distinctive architectural features. Others include a 29-foot stained-glass American flag, a 19-foot stone map of Kansas, a World Trade Center memorial and a 12-foot replica of the Capitol dome in Washington, D.C., accompanied by a multi-screen video "tour" of the legislative process, narrated by Dole.
Here is a schedule of events for July 20-22:
Ongoing activities at and around the Dole Institute* World War II veterans reunion* Memory tent: Reunion headquarters -- large tented area near the institute, headquarters for reunion activities and public-veteran interaction* World War II historical vehicle display* Living history: World War II military encampment -- experience the life of a G.I. as re-enacted by members of the 10th Mountain Division, Sen. Dole's World War II unit* Continuous tours of the new Dole Institute building, with its extensive exhibits,29-foot stained-glass American flag and World Trade Center memorial* Vintage aircraft display (at Lawrence Municipal Airport)Sunday, July 20* Morning church services: recognizing the service and sacrifice of those who fought overseas and those whose efforts on the home front contributed to victory* 2 p.m. KU Goes to War -- faculty and other members of the KU family share their personal recollections (at the Lied Center of Kansas)* 7 p.m. An Evening of Dancing with the Glenn Miller Orchestra (at the Holiday Inn Holidome). See ticket information below.Monday, July 21* 10 a.m. World War II air show in the skies above the Dole Institute* 2 p.m. 1940s fashion show (at Murphy Hall)* 8 p.m. Salute to the Heroes: An Evening to Remember -- re-created USO-style show and star-studded salute to Sen. Dole and all the men and women on the battle front and on the home front who rescued civilization in its darkest hour. At the Lied Center of Kansas; see ticket information below.Tuesday, July 22* 10 a.m. Outdoor military band concert with the 312th Army Band -- music to wave the flag by, staged on the banks of the Dole Institute's reflecting pool* 11 a.m. Formal dedication ceremony for the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics. More details will be announced later this spring.
Admission to most of the programs and activities surrounding the Dole Institute's dedication, including the dedication ceremony itself, is free. There are two premier ticketed events:Sunday night: Glenn Miller Orchestra -- tickets for this event are $40 apiece. For tickets, call (785) 864-ARTS (2787) starting April 1. Monday night: Salute to the Heroes: An Evening to Remember -- tickets for this event are $35 apiece.For tickets, call (785) 864-ARTS (2787) starting April 1.
For information about travel and accommodations, please call the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau toll free at (888) LAW-KANS (529-5267) or write to:
Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau734 Vermont, Suite 101Lawrence, KS 66044-0586www.visitlawrence.com
For more information about the Dole Institute, visit the Dole Institute's Web site at www.doleinstitute.org.
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