WWII tributes mark dedication

1944 KU alumna Claudine “Scottie” Lingelbach served in the WAVES and was assigned to the Joint and Combined British Chiefs of Staff and Navy Logistics in Washington, D.C. She is now a retired teacher active with the KU Alumni Association, the Williams Fund and the Chancellors Club. Contributed art

A four-day tribute to World War II veterans as well as to one of their greatest heroes and advocates, former Sen. Bob Dole, will begin Saturday, July 19, as KU dedicates the new Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics.

Billed as the “Greatest Generation’s Greatest Celebration,” the dedication events culminate on Dole’s 80th birthday July 22. Events include an air parade of World War II aircraft, a military encampment and vintage vehicle display, a 1940s fashion show, a re-created USO-style performance and an outdoor band concert, as well as the formal dedication.

A Memory Tent, featuring oral history presentations, will bring together veterans, including Marines who helped develop a secret code based on their Navajo language, World War II Medal of Honor recipients and members of the Tuskegee Airmen and Doolittle Raiders.

Dignitaries scheduled to appear include Dole and his wife, North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole, former presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani and broadcaster Bill Kurtis. Former national candidates George McGovern and Jack Kemp also will attend.

The building will be open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. July 19; from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 20; and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 21. There also will be an all-night vigil maintained by WWII and other veterans from 11 p.m. July 21 until 6 a.m. July 22. Normal hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Because of increased security, there will be extremely limited general parking at or near the Dole Institute.

For more information call 812-DOLE or see the Web site at
www.dolemedia.ku.edu.