Ike Insight: August 2023

You Did It!

D-Day Goal Met!

Each year, the Eisenhower Foundation joins people throughout the world in commemorating D-Day and on this 79th anniversary, we are excited to share that Ike’s Soldiers: A Virtual World War II Honor Roll for the Greatest Generation continues to grow by adding new soldier profiles. This year, we are also starting the Hometown Heroes Project, as a way for people in their own communities to honor and identify local World War II veterans. The Ike’s Soldiers database preserves this history and makes it available to future generations.

To further this effort, a loyal Kansas donor extended a matching gift opportunity. If the Eisenhower Foundation raised $5,000 by the end of June, they would match every donation, dollar-for-dollar! Thanks to our loyal donors like you, the Eisenhower Foundation raised $16,000, plus the $5,000 match, for a total of $21,000!

Through fulfilling the mission of Ike’s Soldiers — to honor General Eisenhower’s legacy through the compelling stories of the soldiers he led and share them with the world — we continue to hold true to our founding principles that General Eisenhower himself established.

Making an Impact

Much was accomplished in 2022 thanks to you, our Friends of the Foundation. From welcoming school groups back on campus to growing our Ike’s Soldiers virtual honor roll, we owe much of this to the continued support from donors.

Visit our website to view the annual report and we hope the stories shared remind you of the powerful impact Ike’s legacy still has even today.

Meredith’s Memo

IKE INSIGHT Spotlight Events

Thank a Veteran Reception

I love curating unique experiences to connect with our donors. In June, I enjoyed meeting some of our New York area donors when Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground premiered Off- Broadway, and we attended the performance together.

That day I met one of our loyal donors, Dr. George Kralik, who immigrated to the United States with his family in 1956. As Hungarian refugees, his family ended up in Austria, where they waited in line for three days to speak to a United States administrator and request immigration, only to be told that America’s quota of 200,000 refugees had already been filled. However, President Eisenhower signed an executive order to allow at least 20,000 more Hungarian refugees into America, and a few weeks later his family was notified that they fell into that quota. Dr. Kralik said, “I was 11 years old and when we arrived, we were taken to Camp Kilmer in New Jersey. And that’s how we started in America living the American Dream.”

Stories like this are the reason why so many of our donors give to the Eisenhower Foundation.

In turn, we can continue to preserve and promote Ike’s legacy. Thank you for giving us the platform to do so.

Sincerely,

The Eisenhower Foundation was honored to welcome nine World War II veterans during the second-annual Thank a Veteran reception on the campus of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum. Guests had the opportunity to visit with the veterans and learn about their personal experiences serving during the war. If you know a World War II veteran who would like to attend next year, please contact Lisa Kijowski, Ike’s Soldiers Specialist, at 785-263-6771.

Bridge Bene

In July, the Abilene American Contract Bridge League (ABCL) and the Eisenhower Foundation hosted the annual Eisenhower Bridge Benefit in the courtyard of the Eisenhower Presidential Library.

Proceeds from the game benefit IKEducation, which provides activities and classroom programs free of charge to schools across the United States and beyond. In total, over $1,500 was raised.

Meredith Sleichter Executive Director

At right: Army Air Corps veteran Forrest Rhoades of Johnstown, PA

Our Partners

Volunteer with the Eisenhower Foundation

The Eisenhower Foundation has several volunteer opportunities available. Volunteer benefits include a complimentary Friends of the Eisenhower Foundation membership (good for one year) and invitations to Friends events.

Ike’s Hometown Hosts: This special program provides transportation assistance to visiting researchers at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. Volunteers are needed to drive researchers to and from the Library in the event of inclement weather and to regional airports, as needed. A nominal stipend will be given for time and fuel.

Hometown Heroes Project: The goal of this new project is to honor and identify local World War II veterans by capturing their stories and recording them in our Ike’s Soldiers online database. Assist with data entry, research and compiling information. Must have internet accessibility, basic computer skills, and a flexible schedule. Duties may be done onsite or remote. For more information about volunteering, contact info@eisenhowerfoundation.net or 785-263-6771.

Spotlight Exhibit

Global Gifts

Political leaders traditionally exchange gifts when visiting foreign countries. These gifts often have cultural significance and range widely in their level of extravagance or simplicity.

Eisenhower traveled extensively during his administration and met with world leaders that he and Mamie considered friends.

Ike and Mamie received Head of State gifts from around the globe. The Global Gifts exhibit showcases a wide range of artifacts that are part of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum collection. This special exhibit will be on display through 2023 at the Eisenhower Presidential Museum.

Expanded Museum Hours

The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum has expanded their hours. Museum and Library exhibits are open Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (last museum entry is one hour prior to closing)

Boyhood Home tours are scheduled every half hour and are limited to 10 people per tour. Tours are Tuesday through Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The research room is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and appointments must be scheduled in advance.

IKEducation

2023-2024 Educator’s Guide

The new school year is just around the corner and IKEducation is gearing up to provide another year of amazing educational experiences. We are delighted to present the 2023-2024 Educator’s Guide. Our professional IKEducators are excited to work with teachers and students from around the globe and down the block! This guide will point the way for teachers to find programs that best meet their learning needs and to easily schedule an unforgettable learning experience. It can be viewed online at eisenhowerfoundation.net/EdGuide.

We continue to offer learning experiences across three platforms: IKE Onsite, IKE Online, and IKE Express.

learning experiences are akin to traditional field trips. We are so excited when teachers can bring their students to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home! We offer "IKEtivities" enhanced learning at our different campus as well as more than 30 IKEducation programs that take place within our classroom spaces.

What about schools that cannot get to Abilene? IKEducation offers live, interactive, IKE Online programs for classrooms. In many cases, materials will be sent ahead of time for the teachers and students to use during the live program. Or, for schools within a one-hour radius of Abilene or in the Dane Hansen region of northwest Kansas, IKE Express will take our programs on the road and into teachers’ classrooms!

New IKEducation programs this year include “The Many Hats of Dwight D. Eisenhower,” “Don’t Ask What I Shot!,” “Cast Away,” and “V-Mail.”

“The Many Hats of Dwight D. Eisenhower” introduces our youngest historians to artifacts and Ike through many of the hats he wore throughout his life. This includes hands-on exploration and a coloring book keepsake. Using some geometry and upcycling, students will create their own golf holes and fishing poles in “Don’t Ask What I Shot!” and “Cast Away.” These programs feature hobbies that helped Ike balance the enormous stresses of being a world leader. In “V-Mail” students learn how American ingenuity solved the problem of morale versus supplies — both critical to U.S. Soldiers during World War II — through the invention of V-Mail.

“IT’S A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE FOR MOST OF THE STUDENTS!”

-EDUCATOR FROM SALINA SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL

We realize that many schools may have limited funds eld trip expenses. Thanks to you, our generous donors, we have two options to help cover those expenses: Ike’s Field Trip Fund and the Dane G. Hansen Field Trip Program. To apply for consideration, teachers simply complete the online application at IKEducation.com.

IKEducation is 100% donor-funded. Please call or visit our website if you wish to support the legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower.

"I still believe that heaven will be constituted primarily of quiet streams and good fishing, with golf courses handy and easy to play." -Ike

Support Our Cause

Club Eisenhower Spotlight: Elinor Haas

Recently, the Eisenhower Foundation was honored to receive a legacy gift from Elinor Haas. Elinor was born in Solomon, Kansas, and taught English and literature at Abilene High School for 37 years. She served as head of the English department for 23 years. She retired in 1994 and was inducted into the Kansas Teachers’ Hall of Fame in 1996. After retiring from teaching she volunteered at the Eisenhower Presidential Library for 22 years. She received the Weismann Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, given to her at the annual State of the Archives Address and Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Elinor was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Chancel Choir for many years. She was active in Beta Sigma Phi, Delta Kappa Gamma, Abilene Area Retired Teachers, and the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad. She served as a Community Foundation for Dickinson County board member and chaired the Scholarship Committee. The Abilene Chamber of Commerce recognized her with a Volunteer of the Year award.

The Eisenhower Foundation is grateful to the Haas family as this gift will ensure the legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower is shared with future generations.

Planned gifts are especially meaningful to the Eisenhower Foundation. If you have included the Eisenhower Foundation in your own estate plans, we thank you for your generosity and invite you to become a member of Club Eisenhower, our planned giving program. For more information, visit our website at www.EisenhowerFoundation.net/ Club-Eisenhower.

We Appreciate Your Support

Did You Know?

Eisenhower Foundation earns highest seal of transparency

We are proud to announce that The Eisenhower Foundation has once again received the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. Candid, formerly GuideStar, is the world’s largest database of nonprofit organizations and provides donors with the information necessary to make smart decisions. The Eisenhower Foundation continues to be committed to accountability, transparency and excellence in our mission to honor and champion the relevance today of the life and leadership of Dwight D. Eisenhower.

IKEducation has record year

During the 2022-2023 academic school year, IKEducation reached over 23,000 students and teachers with interactive programs both online and in person — a record year.

Onsite field trips resumed in Fall 2022 after Covid restrictions were lifted, giving classrooms three options for program participation: onsite, online or IKE Express.

Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground

A new one-person play starring Tony-Winner John Rubinstein as Dwight D. Eisenhower debuted in early June at the Theatre at St. Clements in New York City.

Written by Richard Hellesen and directed by Ellenstein, Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground is a candid and fascinating fictional reflection adapted from a vast array of Eisenhower's memoirs, speeches, and letters. The play is Eisenhower looks back on his life — his Kansas upbringing, his decorated Army career, his victories in World War II, and his two terms as President — contemplating the qualities and adversities that make an American President great.

Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground will run from June 13August 20th, 2023, at the Theatre at St. Clements in New York City. As a thank you for being a loyal of the Foundation, we would like to offer you a special 10% discount on tickets. To purchase tickets, visit www.eisenhowertheplay.com and use code IKEFOUND10.

Adrianna Echavarria, great granddaughter of Eisenhower; Camilla Mendoza, great-great granddaughter of Eisenhower; Director Peter Ellenstein and Playwright Richard Hellesen.

Eisenhower Foundation Executive Director Meredith Sleichter (center) attended a performance of the Off-Broadway play in June. Also pictured (left to right):

Ike’s Soldiers

Donald E. Hollenbeck was born on November 8, 1924, in Clay Center, Kansas. Donald spent his youth in the Clay County area and graduated from Clay Center High School in February 1943. The following month he entered into the Army.

Donald’s basic training was at Fort Knox, Kentucky, with his station, Belgium, serving with the 526th Armored Infantry Battalion. The Battle of the Bulge began December 16, 1944, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, which was the last major German offensive campaign of the Western Front in World War II.

In December of 1944, Donald’s unit was stationed in Trois Ponts, Belgium, considered part of the Battle of the Bulge, being known as the Battle of Trois Ponts. One of the American guns that was defending the area got stuck by a bridge, which was on a strategic road. The German troops were eager to cross this bridge and take control of two major towns along the route. Donald’s unit commander ordered that he and three other men, who were in control of the gun, stay behind until the bridge route was completely demolished and cut off from the Germans. Corporal Hollenbeck and his compatriots knew that they were on a suicide mission. After fifteen minutes of holding off the German troops, an explosion occurred behind the four-man gun crew, destroying the bridge along with the gun. Donald and the other three men were killed in the explosion that stopped the Germans from pursuing the way forward through Trois Ponts.

The Ardennes Offensive — or The Battle of the Bulge — lasted until January 28, 1945, with an Allies success and the beginning of the end to the German Campaign Offensive. Corporal Hollenbeck’s story and other Soldiers who gave everything for our freedom, can be found in Ike’s Soldiers and with a partner organization Stories Behind the Stars.

Planning D-Day +80 Years: June 6, 2024

Next year, the world will commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the event that turned the tide of World War II and ultimately led to the Allied victory in Europe. To join in this historic event, the Eisenhower Foundation would like to welcome as many World War II veterans to our events in Abilene, Kansas. If you know a World War II veteran who is interested in traveling to Ike’s hometown, please contact our office at 785-263-6771.

CPL Donald E. Hollenbeck