WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2003
FEATURE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 17
People unable to purchase tickets for the "Salute to Heroes: An Evening to Remember" gather on the lawn in front of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics to watch the show on a screen erected for the dedication events. Salute to Heroes featured comedy, dance and musical acts in a USO-style format Monday night.
Zach Straus/Kansan
History entertains despite rain
By Jennifer Wellington
jwellington@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Rain and thunder didn't deter visitors from viewing the "Salute to Heroes: An Evening to Remember" outside the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics Monday night.
The event featured former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Winston Churchill's great-grandson Duncan Sandys, former President Jimmy Carter, Sens. Nancy Kassebaum Baker, George McGovern and Elizabeth Dole and NBC anchor Tom Brokaw.
Giuliani kicked off the first half of the event with jokes about former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole and, on a more serious note, comments about what a momentous occasion the weekend's events represented not only for Dole, but for everyone.
"Bob Dole represents you and what you've all contributed," Giuliani said.
Giuliani's speech was followed by a World War II slide show. Sandys read letters between Churchill and his wife, Clementine, sent during World War II.
"At the end of the day we came together by a binding love for Kansas and Kansans."
Nancy Kassebaum Baker Kansas senator
Kassebaum Baker told the crowd how Dole never twisted her arm on a vote, no matter how much she and the senator disagreed on an issue.
After the war stories from Sandys and Carter, various U.S. Senators took the stage to honor Dole.
Carter also read letters he had written to his parents and his wife while he was aboard the USS Pomfret during the war.
"At the end of the day we came together by a binding love for Kansas and Kansans," she said.
Sen. George McGovern, Dole's greatest adversary when they were in office, said he expected "great things from the Dole Institute."
Rep. Jack Kemp, Dole's running mate in the 1996 presidential campaign,
The first half of the event ended with Tom Brokaw's salute to the "Greatest Generation," veterans and widows of World War II.
"You've spent a lifetime working for the United States of America and the free world," he said.
The second half of the event allowed Dole and other dignitaries to kick off their shoes for some good, old USO-style fun.
The Kansas City Chorus of Sweet Adelines serenaded the audience and Dole with 1940s music, including, "Thanks for the Memories" and "Swing, Swing, Swing."
praised Dole for his worthy deeds and hard work.
The 4's Company Quartet brought Dole to center stage, singing "It Had to Be You" while mussing his hair and clothing.
Swing dancers and comedian David Naster also entertained the audience.
Rain and thunder started midway through the first half of the show, but dissipated before the laser light show.
Former Sen. Bob Dole addresses the crowd at the formal dedication ceremony for the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics.
— Edited by Maggie Newcomer
Visitors to the Dole Institute tour the building on Sunday.
United States Air Force servicemen watch the USO-style show on the screen set up on the Dole Institute lawn.
Medal of Honor recipient Jack Lucas and Sen Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) lead the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday" to former Sen. Bob Dole.