Black Issues Forum:
North Carolina's Black WWII Experience
This UNC-TV original series brings you the African-American World War II experience through little-known but deeply significant and moving stories of North Carolina veterans.

Camp Butner
Camp Butner, near Durham, NC,  served as a training facility for nearly 40,000 troops during WWII and was also housed to over 100 German prisoners of war. UNC-TV looks at the types of training that took place at Camp Butner, as well as the efforts of two men working to preserve the history of the facility.

Camp Lejeune
Almost 66 years ago, Camp Lejeune, near Jacksonville, NC, in Onslow County, became the first training facility for Marines on the eastern seaboard. UNC-TV explores the Camp’s history of tragedies and triumphs.

Dolian Harris, World War II Veteran
UNC-TV captures the story of Dolian Harris. Harris was one of more than 100 Person County veterans who recently traveled to the Nation’s World Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Dutch Van Kirk, Navigator, Enola Gay
On August 6, 1945, the U.S. warplane Enola Gay dropped the world’s first atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. Enola Gay navigator Dutch Van Kirk recounts his experiences alongside Mocksville, NC, native, & Enola Gay bombardier, Col. Tom Farabee.

Earl Solomon, World War II Veteran
Of all the things destroyed during World War II, it is often what survives that is most important. For Earl & Nettie Soloman, what survived was love. UNC-TV captures this local couples perseverance in the wake of war.

Everett "Bud" Hampton,
World War II Veteran
North Carolinians were among the many American troops sent to fight on Iwo Jima. Shannon Vickery talked with local veteran Bud Hampton to learn his story.

Fred Helderman, World War II Veteran
65 years ago, Japan launched its surprise attack against U.S. forces stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Many North Carolina veterans and Pearl Habor survivors, like Fred Helderman, remember December 7, 1941, and offer unique viewpoints on this pivotal moment in our nation's history.

Hendersonville, NC, World War II Veterans
Many World War II veterans have never visited the National Memorial created in their honor in Washington, D.C. A group from the small western North Carolina town of Hendersonville embarked on a mission: to ensure veterans in their community got the opportunity to visit the Memorial. UNC-TV’s own Eszter Vajda shares their stories.

Jeff Shaara, Author, The Rising Tide
The Rising Tide follows the point of view of key characters from North Africa and Sicily, theatres in World War II virtually unknown to the general population. Author Jeff Shaara sheds light on these areas of the war and the specific people and places that made them pivotal to the global conflict.

Jennie Drake, "The Flag Lady"
It's Flag Day everday at Jennie Drake's house. This North Carolinian's claim to fame is her penchant for crocheting the American flag, a labor of love she began when her late husband, Emil Drake, entered World War II.

John Bratton, World War II Veteran
Raleigh, NC, native and World War II veteran John Bratton recounts his experiences growing up in the Tar Heel State, serving in the Marine Corps, and abroad in the Pacific theatre.

Ken Burns, North Carolina Now Interview
Join UNC-TV's own Shannon Vickery for an exclusive interview with this award-winning documentarian as he shares his thoughts about THE WAR: A Ken Burns Film.  This eye-opening, behind-the-scenes discussion explores the six-year filmmaking process of this all-new epic series and examines the ideas that shaped its creation.

Laura Mae Dufore & Estella Hoffman, WAAC
The Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) was established during WWII, allowing women to serve in a variety of Army positions. Laura Mae Dufore, considered the oldest living WAAC member at 103, was recently featured in a Raleigh newspaper.  The article caught the eye of Estella Sloan Hoffman, who served with Dufore. UNC-TV captures the reunion and reminisces of these pioneering women.

North Carolina's Pearl Harbor Veterans
Recently, local veterans who served at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, gathered in Smithfield, NC, to reconnect and remember. UNC-TV joins them for this historic meeting to document their unforgettable stories.

North Carolina Women in World War II
Nearly 400,000 women served in various braches of the military during World War II. UNC-TV explores UNC-Greensboro’s Jackson Library, housing a unique collection spotlighting the female  veterans’ experience.

Person County, NC World War II Veterans
UNC-TV captures the recent Roxboro Rotary Club-sponsored trip, sending Person County World War II veterans to visit the memorial built in their honor in Washington D.C.

R. Dillard Teer, Nello L. Teer Co.
While the Allied Forces were planning their strategies abroad during World War II, a Durham, NC-based construction company was unleashing its own ground attack here at home: clearing land and providing infrastructure for a growing number of military bases within the state. UNC-TV profiles the projects of the Nello L. Teer Company.

THE WAR: A Ken Burns Film,
(Fayetteville Preview)
Documentarian Ken Burns visited a group of North Carolinians, including World War II veterans, in Fayetteville, NC, and provided an exclusive preview of the epic documentary series, THE WAR: A Ken Burns Film. UNC-TV captures the reactions to the film and why they feel the project is important.

Veteran's Freedom Park, Cary, NC
North Carolina is home to thousands of veterans. Col. Hal Shook served in the Army Air Corps in World War II.  Shook plans to join other veteran’s who will share their stories at Cary’s future Veteran’s Freedom Park.

World War II Veterans at UNC-Chapel Hill
UNC-TV captures local veterans as they gathered for a panel discussion with cadets from UNC-Chapel Hill’s ROTC to share their advice on the wartime experience.