Local public broadcaster WETA is hosting a free public screening of excerpts from Ken Burns’s The War this weekend. The event, which includes a performance by the Quantico Marine Corps Band and a color guard presentation, is being held Saturday evening on the grounds of the Washington Monument, with the World War II Memorial as a backdrop. The two cohosting organizations are Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute program.
“We really have no idea how many people are going to show up,” said WETA director of special events Lynn Terrel, who began planning in August. “We’ve never done something on this scale before, and there isn’t an RSVP mechanism.” WETA has been advertising the event on its Web site and television and radio stations, in addition to sending out email blasts and posting announcements in local military publications and in The Washington Post. Given the event’s theme and hosts (and the email blast to the Pentagon), a large veteran turnout is expected.
The War, a 15-hour, seven-episode documentary about World War II, premiered last Sunday and runs through next Tuesday. The 50-minute screening will be aired on 27- by 20-foot LED-screen JumboTron at sunset, following remarks from Burns and his co-producer/director Lynn Novick. Terrell hired Event Strategies Inc. to handle audiovisual and event logistics, and Capitol Party Rentals is providing 1,000 foldout chairs.
“We really have no idea how many people are going to show up,” said WETA director of special events Lynn Terrel, who began planning in August. “We’ve never done something on this scale before, and there isn’t an RSVP mechanism.” WETA has been advertising the event on its Web site and television and radio stations, in addition to sending out email blasts and posting announcements in local military publications and in The Washington Post. Given the event’s theme and hosts (and the email blast to the Pentagon), a large veteran turnout is expected.
The War, a 15-hour, seven-episode documentary about World War II, premiered last Sunday and runs through next Tuesday. The 50-minute screening will be aired on 27- by 20-foot LED-screen JumboTron at sunset, following remarks from Burns and his co-producer/director Lynn Novick. Terrell hired Event Strategies Inc. to handle audiovisual and event logistics, and Capitol Party Rentals is providing 1,000 foldout chairs.
