Salazar joins critics of series on WWII

American Indians, Hispanics want their roles shown

Fernando Quintero, Rocky Mountain News

Published April 30, 2007 at midnight

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Sens. Ken Salazar of Colorado and Robert Menendez of New Jersey have joined Hispanic veterans and others who say that an upcoming PBS documentary on World War II doesn't include enough contributions of Hispanics and American Indians.

The seven-part series, directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, explores "the experience of war and combat through the personal accounts of more than 40 men and women," according to Burns' production company.

"Sen. Salazar became aware that the PBS documentary on World War II did not include Latinos, and that was of concern, not just to his constituents, but to him personally," Salazar's spokesman, Cody Wertz said. "His father served in the Army during that time. His mother served in the Pentagon."

In a statement, Burns responded to the criticism.

"The film was never meant to be a definitive or comprehensive treatment of the subject," said Burns, an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker who has produced and directed several acclaimed historical documentaries. "As we say at the outset of each episode, 'The Second World War was fought in thousands of places, too many for any one accounting,' "

However, the filmmaker and PBS have said that new footage about Hispanics and American Indians would be included.

Wertz said that Salazar would keep a watchful eye on the production and that the senator has called for a meeting with PBS President Paula Kerger.

"I think the appropriate action is to fully incorporate our contributions into the body of the documentary," said Cipriano Griego, commander of the Mile High Chapter of the GI Forum, a national Hispanic veterans organization. "We are not a footnote."

James Cates, head of the National Native American Veterans Association, is also critical of the series.

"He didn't do a very good job of researching his material," he said about Burns' initial decision not to include American Indians in the series. "There was Ira Hayes, who helped raise the flag on Iwo Jima, and the Code Talkers of the Navajo, Comanche, and Choctaw tribes."

quinterof@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5250

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