The Boys of Bataan
STORIES OF VETERANS AND IMMIGRANTS
Premiere Date: October 29, 2024 Format: 1 x 60-minute documentary
Stories of Veterans and Immigrants. HF 1999 Article 4 Sec. 2 Subd. 6 (e) Public Television. $5,000,000 the first year and $4,500,000 the second year are to the Minnesota Public Television Association for production and acquisition grants according to Minnesota Statutes, section 129D.18. Of the amount in the first year, $1,000,000 is for producing Minnesota military and veterans’ history stories and unique immigrant stories from around the state.
Description
The Boys of Bataan tells the powerful story of young men from Brainerd, MN who served in the 194th Tank Battalion, Company A in the Philippines during World War II. Narrated by John Erickson, archivist for Brainerd Public Schools, the documentary follows their journey from high school to the Battle of Bataan, concluding with an annual memorial ceremony at the National Guard Armory in Brainerd.
Dedicated to Care: LTC Hortense McKay
Impact
Premiere Date: September 12, 2024 Format: 1 x 30-minute documentary
Using special funding towards recording Minnesotan military Veterans’ personal experiences, Lakeland PBS is able to preserve their experiences, sharing their unique stories with the masses. This is imperative as a society to not forget history but to preserve it, share it, and learn from it. Whether these veterans gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country or lived to tell their stories, they should be honored for their contributions. Lakeland PBS is proud to offer a platform to share these stories.
Description
Dedicated to Care: LTC Hortense McKay is an intimate and compelling documentary that delves into the extraordinary life of Brainerd hero Lieutenant Colonel Hortense McKay, a dedicated nurse whose courage and commitment shaped her legacy and paved the way for women in the military. The story concludes with the honoring of her extraordinary contributions at her Congressional Gold Medal ceremony on March 25, 2023, in Brainerd, MN.
Distribution & Reach
Impact
Platform
Reach (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025)
Using special funding towards recording Minnesotan military veterans’ personal experiences, Lakeland PBS is able to preserve their experiences, sharing their unique stories with the masses. This is imperative as a society to not forget history but to preserve it, share it, and learn from it. Whether these veterans gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country or lived to tell their stories, they should be honored for their contributions. Lakeland PBS is proud to offer a platform to share these stories.
Broadcast
1 episode broadcast | 20 hours broadcast
Streaming
1 episode posted | 1 hour available | 1,442 streams
Social Media
2 posts | 1,671 video views | 33 engagements
Events & Engagement
Distribution & Reach
A special screening of Boys of Bataan was featured at the Tornstrom Auditorium in Brainerd, MN on May 2, 2025 as part of an annual remembrance ceremony hosted by archivist John Erickson and the Brainerd Public Schools Archives. There were 20 attendees for the screening. Lakeland PBS held a public premiere screening of the documentary at the Charlberg Auditorium at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, MN on October 29, 2024. There was an opening and closing ceremony with color guard and a chaplain’s prayer. There were approximately 100 attendees.
Platform
Reach (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025)
Broadcast
1 episode broadcast | 15.5 hours broadcast
Streaming
1 episode available | 0.5 hours available | 392 streams
Social Media
6 posts | 1,307 video views | 27 engagements
Education
Events & Engagement Lakeland PBS held a public premiere screening of the documentary at the Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum in Brainerd, MN on September 12, 2024. It was particularly meaningful to hold the screening there as several of LTC Hortense’s memorabilia reside at the museum. There were 26 attendees, which included family members of the honored lieutenant.
Two educational material resources were produced for Lakeland Learns on the documentary, The Boys of Bataan : One lesson plan with an accompanying activities book, can be found on the Lakeland PBS website under the Education tab by clicking on Legacy Lesson Plans or at lptv.org/legacy-lessons/.
32
33
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator