National Archives Observes Veterans Day with Special Programs in DC and Nationwide
Press Release · Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Washington, DC…In observance of Veterans Day, the National Archives presents a series of programs in at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and at National Archives Presidential Libraries nationwide.

All programs at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, are free and open to the public. The building is located on the National Mall and is fully accessible. Attendees should use the Special Events entrance on Constitution Avenue at 7th Street, NW.

Events at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC

FILM:  A Classic Restored:  The Negro Soldier
Friday, November 9, at noon, William G. McGowan Theater
The Negro Soldier was produced by Frank Capra’s Army motion picture unit to help unite white and black troops in the fight against the Axis. This is a repeat screening of a high-definition version of the film, preserved and digitally restored by the National Archives Motion Picture Preservation Team. (1944; 43 minutes)

FILM:  A Classic Restored: John Huston’s Let There Be Light
Friday, November 16, at noon, William G. McGowan Theater
The third in the World War II trilogy commissioned from Academy Award®-winning director John Huston by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, Let There Be Light follows the treatment of emotionally traumatized GIs from their admission at a psychiatric hospital to their reentry into civilian life. This is a repeat screening of a high-definition version of the film, preserved and digitally restored by the National Archives Motion Picture Preservation Team. (1946; 58 minutes)

BOOK TALK:  Intrepid Sailors: The Legacy of Preble’s Boys and the Tripoli Campaign
Wednesday, November 28, at noon, Washington Room
Journalist and historian Chipp Reid discusses one of the greatest sea stories in the history of the U.S Navy. Under Commodore Edward Preble, the Navy came of age fighting the scourge of the time, the infamous Barbary Pirates, who had declared war on the United States in 1801. The exploits of the officers and sailors in this campaign are the stuff of legend. A book signing will follow the program.

Events at National Archives Presidential Libraries Nationwide

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum offers free admission to the Museum on Veteran’s Day, Monday, November 12, in addition to a special film program in cooperation with the African American Museum of Iowa. The program includes screening the new documentary Unconditional Loyality, about African Americans in the US military, at 1:30 pm, followed by the screening of Red Tails, about the Tuskegee Airmen, at 2:30 pm. These showings are free and open to the public, and will be held in the auditorium of Hoover Library. For details, see www.hoover.archives.gov.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, in partnership with the National Park Service, will offer free admission to veterans and their families from Saturday, November 10, through Monday, November 12.

The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum offers free admission Monday, November 12. A special program will feature speeches by former Congressman Ike Skelton and Major General Robert Scales and patriotic music by jazz singer Ida McBeth. Special activities for children include creating cards for veterans and storytelling. Details at http://www.trumanlibrary.org/

The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum honors veterans with free admission on November 11 and 12. All active duty military have free admission year-round. On Monday, November 12, the Eisenhower Library hosts the VFW and American Legion’s Veterans Day Ceremony. On Tuesday, November 13, at 7 pm, former Eisenhower Library Director Dan Holt speaks on “A Dynamic Duo: George C. Marshall and Dwight D. Eisenhower.” For more information, see www.dwightdeisenhower.com.

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum honors veterans with free admission on November 11, 12, and 13. Year-round, the JFK Library offers free admission to all active military and a two dollar discount for veterans.

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum offers free admission to all on Monday, November 12, and will feature a special military program at 1 pm, including presentation of the colors, patriotic musical performances, and a keynote address by former National Security Advisor Robert "Bud" McFarlane, followed by a concert by the Placentia Symphonic Band at 3 pm. For details, see http://www.nixonlibrary.gov.

The Gerald R. FordPresidential Museum offers free admission to veterans on Monday, November 12.

Jimmy Carter Library and Museum offers free admission to veterans and their immediate family on Monday, November 12. On Wednesday, November 14, the Library will host a book talk with co-editor Graham Plaster about In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War. Compiled by members of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2002, this book chronicles some of the most compelling war experiences from among their classmates, the first to graduate and serve after 9/11. For details, see www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library honors veterans with a special program on Monday, November 12, featuring Lieutenant Colonel James Zumwalt, a retired Marine infantry officer, musical entertainment by the Santa Susana High School Symphony Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble, Civil War re-enactments by the Washington Artillery of New Orleans, and a display of World War II and current military vehicles. There will be a North American AT-6 Flyover by the Condor Squadron at 10:30 am! All Veterans Day activities are free and open to the public. The Library offers free admission to the Museum for veterans on both November 11 and 12, and offers free admission to active military year-round. For details, see www.reaganfoundation.org.

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum offers free admission year round to active-duty service members and up to five qualifying family members. The George Bush Presidential Library Foundation will be hosting twospeakers the week of Veterans Day:
Maj. Gen. John S. Cowings on November 14, and Former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell on November 16.

The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum offers free admission to military personnel and their families on November 11 and 12.