University of Wisconsin - Extension

In early May, Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) offers the concluding chapters in its stirring series about the role of Wisconsin families and individuals in the struggle for freedom and reclamation of democracy around World World War II.

The project is a partnership between WPT and the Wisconsin Historical Society, in association with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

Wisconsin World War II Stories "Home Front" airs at 8 p.m. Monday, May 3. Airing the following night, 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, is Wisconsin World War II Stories "Pacific." WMVS-TV in Milwaukee airs the programs at the same times as WPT.

The new "Home Front" documentary includes stories of Wisconsin's contributions to the Allied War effort. These are the stories of the people who served on the home front, the ones who worked in the munitions plants, built submarines, canned food supplies, went without and waited for the soldiers to come home.

These, too, were the people who received the devastating telegrams, a demonstration of bravery and loss not just on the battlefields, but also on the home front.

"Pacific" focuses on the brave men and women who served so long ago. They recall their triumphs and their horrors, many for the first time since returning home. For them, these are among the greatest stories of their lives and they tell them with unfailing modesty, a display of true heroism.

"Pacific" captures the stories of tremendous battles above, below and on the waters of the vast Pacific Ocean.

The broadcast is supplemented by an award-winning Web site at http://www.wisconsinstories.org .

The programs encore on Memorial Day weekend, Sunday May 30, along with the other two offerings in the series. The 60-minute programs in the Wisconsin World War II Stories series air sequentially, beginning at 3 p.m. The order is: Struggle, Europe, Home Front and Pacific.