A Birthday Tribute to Senator Robert Dole

On July 15th, a week before he reached the age of 93, former Senator, Presidential candidate, and World War II veteran, Robert Dole, went to the World War II Memorial to welcome veterans of the 96th Infantry Division. Despite physical difficulties and advancing age, Bob Dole continues to lead and to welcome World War II veterans to their Memorial.

96th Infantry Division veteran Bub Simmons and his wife, Fay, greet Senator Dole at the World War II Memorial.

Park Service volunteer, Donna Prince, wishing Senator Dole a "Happy Birthday."

These photos show him being greeted by a veteran of the 96th as well as by Donna Prince, a National Park Service volunteer whose parents and family were interred as Japanese-Americans during the Second World War. Interestingly, Bob Dole was wounded in Italy during the war fighting nearly side-by-side with Japanese-American soldiers. His friend, Senator Dan Inouye (deceased), as was Bob Dole, was wounded fighting the Germans in the mountainous area north of Florence.

I first met Bob Dole in 1997 at the White House when President Clinton invited him to attend an event announcing the winning design for the World War II Memorial. Despite the rigors of the 1996 Presidential campaign, Senator Dole was gracious with a sense of humor when introduced that day by President Clinton. He started his remarks by saying: “I thought that when the President invited me here today, that he was going to hand me the keys to this place!” Everyone laughed and then Dole went on to remark about the significance of the Second World War, the importance of remembering it and never forgetting the sacrifice and dedication of the American people which brought forth the victory. 

“I thought that when the President invited me here today, that he was going to hand me the keys to this place!”

It was either that day or shortly thereafter, that the President asked Senator Dole to Chair the effort to raise the funds to build the Memorial. Senator Dole said “Yes” and also asked that there be a Co-Chair to help him. An affirmative response to this came when Fred Smith, the Chairman of the FEDEX Corporation, agreed to help. The two of them, Dole and Smith, went on to conclude one of the most successful fundraising efforts ever conducted for a Memorial in Washington. Before it was done, nearly $200 million had been raised from the American people to build the iconic Memorial what now stands on 17th Street, on the East-West Axis of the Mall, between those named for Lincoln and Washington.

For Bob Dole, that was only the beginning. Ever since the National World War II Memorial was dedicated in 2004, he has, whenever possible, been at the Memorial to welcome his fellow World War II veterans. He has been an inspiration to them and to all of us. On the occasion of his 93rd birthday, it is fitting that all Americans pay tribute and give thanks to Senator Robert Dole for what he has done for the country and, specifically, for his dedication to the cause of building a World War II Memorial in our nation’s capital.


Rolland E. Kidder

Thoughts for the 4th of July

The Frailty of Human Institutions

It wasn’t that long ago (the 20th century) when Europe was consumed twice by war which resulted in the deaths of millions. The countries of Europe lined up along national/ideological lines, formed alliances and then went to war to settle their differences. Whatever the cause, including naked aggression by some states against others, the results were devastating. It is good to remember on the 4th of July that thousands of American soldiers, sailors and airmen also perished in these conflicts and many are buried in American cemeteries in Europe.

After the Second World War, tired and impoverished by war but with the help of the American Marshall Plan, Europe slowly began to rebuild itself by entering into cooperative working agreements and by creating such institutions as NATO and the European Union (EU.) Now, 70 years later, we are facing the reality of an “unwinding” of those institutions and relationships. The recent vote in Britain to leave the EU should be of concern to everyone, including Americans. Like it or not, our country has been inextricably entwined in events in Europe for the past 200 years, including its wars.

One generation does not necessarily build on the experiences of prior generations. Over time people forget. It takes years of dogged determination to build agreements and trust between nations. It can all come tumbling down quickly. This seems to be what happened in the recent “Brexit” vote to leave the European Union. People want quick solutions to their perceived problems, but most problems are complex and solutions take time.

Building a united Europe has never been easy. Every nation in the EU has a different language or culture. In the 17th century, the continent was also split along religious lines (Protestant vs. Catholic). During what was called the “Thirty Years War”, it is estimated that nearly a quarter of the people living in Central Europe (now Germany) were killed. Sadly, the history of fighting and war in Europe is much longer and more well-established than its more recent history of working together.

The “Brexit” is more than a ho-hum moment in history. It could lead to further divisions in Europe and more political instability. Human institutions are vulnerable. Americans should be concerned. Cutting ourselves off from Europe is something we couldn’t do even if we wanted to. It is always easier when going to the polls to just get mad, vote “No” and pull oneself into a self-protective cocoon. Unfortunately, that usually doesn’t solve problems. For America’s sake, let’s hope that Europe can figure out a way to keep itself together.


Rolland Kidder
Ashville, NY