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AETN's Promotional Events Schedule

Screenings and Receptions

AETN will present special screenings of “The War,” the seven-part documentary series directed and produced by Ken Burns that explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective.

These free, open-to-the-public events featuring a preview of the documentary will be held in Batesville, Fayetteville, El Dorado and Little Rock.

Also previewed will be “Their Journey: A Veterans’ Tribute Tour,” a documentary filmed in June when AETN arranged for 47 WWII veterans from across Arkansas to travel to Washington, D.C., to visit the National World War II Memorial in a four day “Tribute Tour.”

“Their Journey” is a production of “In Their Words: AETN’s WWII Oral Histories Project,” which allows AETN to archive firsthand knowledge of the war for use by future generations online and in the classroom. The project also provides a lasting memory for the interviewee’s family, with more than 200 veterans completing interviews to date.

Join AETN and its partners at each event for a reception, screenings of “The War” and “Their Journey: A Veterans’ Tribute Tour” and an opportunity to learn more about “In Their Words.” Anyone who attends the screening may register to win “The War” DVD set, CD soundtrack, book or other great prizes. Winners will be announced during the evening.

R.S.V.P. to Darbi at 800-662-2386.

  • Batesville ― Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. ― University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, 2005 White Drive, Independence Hall Room 103
  • Fayetteville ― Thursday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. ― University of Arkansas School of Continuing Education & Academic Outreach, Center for Continuing Education, 2 East Center Street
  • El Dorado ― Friday, Sept. 14, at 4:30 p.m. ― South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East 5th Street
  • Little Rock ― Thursday, Sept. 20, 4 to 7 p.m. ― MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 East Ninth Street. Hosted by the AETN Commission.

Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk

Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk will be speaking at several free public events in September:

  • Arkadelphia ― Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Ouachita Baptist University. Veterans lunch and community lecture.
  • Little Rock ― Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Clinton School of Public Service. R.S.V.P. to (501) 683-5239 or publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu.

World War II Atrium Exhibit Opening

  • AETN will open their newest atrium exhibit Thursday, Sept. 27, with a reception from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit features artifacts and rare archival photos from World War II, as well as oral histories from the In Their Words project. AETN is located at 350 South Donaghey Avenue in Conway. The event is free and open to the public.

Related Programming

  • Exploring Arkansas “USS Razorback/WWII Amphibious Ducks” – Monday, Sept. 3, at 6:30 p.m. Named after a whale and not the Arkansas Razorbacks – the submarine called the “Razorback” is quite an enlightening experience into the “silent service” of World War II. Tours are provided daily at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum at North Little Rock. Host Chuck Dovish takes a tour with a crewmember who knew the sub all too well.
    The so-called amphibian duck boats were used in most of the major battles during WWII, including D-Day. They now serve as tourist attraction rides in quite a few cities, including Hot Springs. The duck boat’s transformation from a military vehicle to a tourist ride is quite the story.

  • AETN Presents: Front Row with Jack Mitchell and His Big Band – Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 6:30 p.m. Jack Mitchell and his big band performed World War II favorites to a packed house at Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus.
  • Barnes and…A Conversation with Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk – Sunday, Sept. 23, at 12:30 p.m.
  • In Their Words: AETN’s WWII Oral Histories Project programming
  • Beyond Their Words: A Look at AETN’s WWII Oral Histories Project – Sunday, Sept. 23, at 4 p.m.
  • Their Journey: A Veterans’ Tribute Tour – Sunday, Sept. 23, at 5 p.m.
  • Countdown to THE WAR – Sunday, Sept. 23, at 6:30 p.m.