Press Release

THREE DAYS OF SPECIAL DETROIT PUBLIC TV PROGRAMMING TO HONOR VETERANS

November 9-11 Will Celebrate, Entertain and Inform

DETROIT(October 29, 2012) — Detroit Public Television (DPTV) announces a weekend of broadcasting dedicated to celebrating the service of the United States military across all eras. Airing around Veterans Day, November 9-11, 2012, special programming will include award-winning local and national documentaries, entertainment shows, profiles of Michigan veterans and highlights of resources available for veterans and their families in the areas of employment, education, health and human rights.

"An important part of our mission uses the power of media to tell the stories that lead to understanding the crucial issues facing our community," said Rich Homberg, President and General Manager of DPTV. “This special weekend focused on our veterans is designed to honor their service, underscore their sacrifice and offer solutions to the challenges they face when returning home.”

The special weekend of programming is made possible through support from the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, the DTE Energy Foundation and the Masco Corporation Foundation.
A list of resources, the program schedule and videos of the local veteran vignettes are all available at a special website, www.dptv.org/vets, which is online now.

Scheduled programming includes:

Friday, November 9:
8:00 p.m.
Go For Broke:
This 1951 movie portrays the story of the Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team of World War II; the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the entire history of the U.S. Military.

Saturday, November 10:
DTE Foundation Challenge Grant Night
Local veteran organizations will be live in the studio answering phones, taking pledges and providing information for viewers who call in.

8:00 p.m.
The Story of Willow Run
This is a black and white documentary produced by the Ford Motor Company in 1945, describing the history of the legendary Willow Run bomber plant in the World War II period. It recounts the building of the massive assembly plant, and details the production process for constructing the more than 8,000 B-24 heavy bombers turned out by the plant from 1942-1945.

9:00 p.m.
Marina Live at West Point: Unity Through Diversity
The concert pianist performs patriotic melodies with the West Point Band and the Cadet Glee Club.

Sunday, November 11:
2:00 p.m.
POV: Where Soldiers Come From (90 minutes)
The Emmy-winning film about growing up is an intimate look at the young men who fight our wars and the families and town they come from. The film follows two friends, Dominic and Cole, who grew up in Northern Michigan and fought together in Afghanistan.

3:30 p.m.
Our Vietnam Generation
Keith Famie's Michigan documentary explores the feeling and experiences of our Vietnam veterans; their time spent in service and how society viewed them when they returned home.

4:40 p.m.
One Soldier’s Story
Keith Famie’s film about Sgt. Michael Ingram from Monroe, Michigan is an intimate portrayal of a soldier’s sacrifice and a family’s unbearable loss.

8:00 p.m.
National Salute to Veterans (60 minutes)
This program pays tribute to American veterans. Hosted by actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise.

Local programming will also include special veterans-focused editions of DPTV’s local MiWeek and American Black Journal programs.

Detroit Public Television (DPTV) is the non-commercial, viewer-supported PBS-member station watched by more than 1.5 million people in Detroit and Southeast Michigan and another 1.2 million people throughout Canada. DPTV also manages WRCJ 90.9 FM, Detroit's classical and jazz radio station, in collaboration with the license-holder, the Detroit Public Schools. The radio station is located in the Detroit School of Arts. DPTV is licensed to the Detroit Educational Television Foundation and governed by a volunteer board of trustees from the local business, civic, and cultural communities.

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