Crapo, Cable Companies Bring WWII Memorial Dedication Ceremony To Idaho Viewers

Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has teamed up with local Idaho cable systems to bring the broadcast of the World War II Memorial Dedication ceremony in Washington, DC to Idaho viewers. The event will begin on Saturday, May 29, at 12 p.m. Mountain and will be broadcast over the following channels in Idaho:Boise, Ada County11
Coeur dâ??Alene19
Idaho Falls area19
Kellogg, Wallace, Orofino, Grangeville03
Lewiston13
Moscow11
Mountain HomeHistory Channel/C-Span
Nampa, Caldwell, Canyon County11
Sandpoint, Kootenai, Pend OreilleHistory Channel/C-Span
Twin Falls, Burley area17
The broadcast will be preceded on most Idaho cable systems with a short introduction by Crapo.â??Tickets for the dedication were limited and taken very quickly by those who are closer in proximity to Washington, D.C. than those in Idaho,â?? Crapo explained. â??Idaho is home to approximately 22,000 World War II veterans, and it is only right that they have an opportunity to participate in the dedication of the memorial that commemorates their service. In early March, when I learned that no cable or network channel had yet made a commitment to broadcast this event, I knew that Idahoâ??s cable systems would step in and fill that void. This will allow Idahoâ??s veterans and their families and friends the opportunity to witness this important event.â??â??Without the courageous efforts of our military more than fifty years ago, our nation would be a much different place. This memorial is long overdue and commemorates the service of the sixteen million Americans who served during World War II, the more than 400,000 who sacrificed all, and the millions more on the home front who joined together,â?? Crapo concluded.Idaho veterans are expected to gather at several sites throughout the state to view the broadcast, including the veteransâ?? homes in Boise, Lewiston and Pocatello. Crapo has provided an American flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol to each home in honor of the occasion. Additionally, local veteransâ?? organizations throughout the state have organized their membership to view the broadcast together.The World War II Memorial dedication is a culmination of more than fifteen years of work. The effort began in 1987, but didnâ??t become law until 1993 when Congress authorized the creation of a National World War II Memorial. The design was selected from a competition with more than 400 entries. Construction began on the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial in 2000 and was completed earlier this year. The memorial was opened to the public earlier this month.