December 2, 2021 - News
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is pleased to debut a new exhibition, “Remembering Service, Sacrifice, Unity, and Victory: A National Memorial to World War II,” on display in the Elizabeth Dole Gallery & Reading Room through January 30, 2022.
The bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, was a tragedy that brought America into combat engagement in World War II and called a whole generation into service – both abroad and at home. Marking 80 years since that dark day, Washington, D.C. comes to the Dole Institute through this new exhibit featuring the original concept model of the iconic World War II Memorial. The memorial replica is presented in partnership with the Friends of the National World War II Memorial.
Senator Bob Dole was one of 16 million Americans who served in uniform during World War II. Dole remained committed to veterans throughout his 35 years of service in the U.S. Congress. After his retirement, Senator Dole went on to serve as the National Chairman of the fundraising campaign to build the National World War II Memorial which was formally dedicated on May 29, 2004. Since then, Senator Dole was compelled to serve yet again: greeting veterans at the memorial each week for the last 15 years.
“Given how special the memorial is to Senator Dole, we were so excited when the Friends of the National World War II Memorial offered to donate the model to us this summer,” said Sarah Gard, senior archivist. “And we’re incredibly pleased to be able to display it for the public now.”
Visitors can view “Remembering Service, Sacrifice, Unity, and Victory: A National Memorial to World War II” during Dole Institute Museum hours, Tuesday-Saturday, 12-4 p.m.
In accordance with university policy, the Dole Institute will be closed from December 24, 2021-January 3, 2022. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located on KU’s West Campus and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of U.S. Senators Bob Dole and Elizabeth Dole.
The Dole Institute is committed to universal accessibility in all programs and resources. We are in the process of making all of our web projects fully accessible. An accessible version of the material represented on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact us at doleinstitute@ku.edu to request the material be made available in an accessible format, or for general assistance.