Collection:LPB

Genre: Special

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2000-01-26

Duration: 01:40:56

Subjects: World War II | Military | Veterans | D-DAY MUSEUM | National World War II Museum | D-DAY | World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- France -- Normandy | Ambrose, Stephen E. | Hannan, Philip M. (Philip Matthew), 1913-2011 | Sims, Ralph, 1916-2009 | B-17 bomber | Louisiana Maneuvers

Contributors:

• Courtney, Bob Host
• Courtney, Beth Host
• Eaglin, Carlos Director
• Baker, Diana Producer
• Allen, Gary Producer
• Hanks, Tom Speaker
• Spielberg, Steven Speaker
• Ambrose, Stephen Interviewee
• Mueller, Nick Interviewee
• Willey, Kevin Interviewee
• Hannan, Philip Interviewee
• Silver, Walter Interviewee
• Sims, Ralph Interviewee
• Randolph, Walt Interviewee
• Murphy, Bob Interviewee
• O'Neill, Robert Interviewee
• Landreneau, Bennett Interviewee
• Stroud, Ansel Interviewee
• Moran, Richard Interviewee
• McCann, Tom Interviewee
• Mayhall, Van Interviewee
• Hart, Mary Louise Pearce Interviewee

The first part of a live three hour broadcast from January 26, 2000, honoring Louisiana’s World War II veterans and previewing the opening of the D-Day Museum in New Orleans. During the first hour of the show, co-host Bob Courtney talks to Stephen Ambrose, historian and founder of the D-Day Museum, Dr. Nick Mueller, the Chairman of the D-Day Museum, and Kevin Willey of the Eisenhower Center at the University of New Orleans about the upcoming opening of the museum. He also interviews Archbishop Philip Hannan and Ralph Sims about their World War II experiences. Co-host Beth Courtney speaks to several World War II veterans about their memories of the war, including Walter Silver, Walt Randolph and Robert O’Neill. This hour of coverage also features clips from Archbishop Hannan’s documentary on the paratroopers from his unit, the 505th regiment of the 82nd Airborne, and filmmaker Michael Campisi’s documentary on the B-17. During the second hour of the show, Bob Courtney talks to Major General Bennett Landreneau and retired Major General Ansel Stroud of the Louisiana National Guard about Louisiana’s military tradition and the significance of the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1940-1941. Beth Courtney speaks to World War II veterans Tom McCann and Van Mayhall about their experiences. This hour also features director Steven Spielberg’s message of support for the D-Day Museum, a segment on the history of the Louisiana Maneuvers, and an interview with the late Mary Louise Pearce Hart of Bunkie on her remembrances of the Louisiana Maneuvers. Please note that the D-Day Museum is now known as the National World War II Museum. Host: Bob Courtney Host: Beth Courtney