A historic Ed Westcott image of the original showing of the movie, “The Beginning or the End”—The Story of the Atomic Bomb and Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)
A 70th anniversary celebration of the end of World War II will feature a special showing of the historic movie “‘The Beginning or the End,’ The Story of the Atomic Bomb and Oak Ridge.”
The celebration has been organized by the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. It’s scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, August 29, at the Historic Grove Theater at 123 Randolph Road in Grove Center.
The program will include the presentation of the flag by the Volunteer State Honor Guard, patriotic music by the Oak Ridge High School Ensemble, and the special recognition of all veterans, a press release said. Also, a special proclamation will be presented to the Y-12 National Security Complex recognizing 70 years of supporting our nation’s freedom, the release said.
It said the film “‘The Beginning or The End,’ The Story of the Atomic Bomb and Oak Ridge,” will be shown as it was at the Grove Theater soon after World War II ended.
Oak Ridge played a crucial role in the war, enriching the uranium for the first atomic bomb, Little Boy, that was dropped over Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, less than two weeks before Japan surrendered. Oak Ridge was part of the top-secret Manhattan Project, the top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons.
“Unlimited global warfare has not been seen since,” ORHPA said in the press release. “A dramatic new era of international stability and peace has been experienced.”
The release said the August 19Â special program is planned to” honor this singular event in history to include the community of Oak Ridge, East Tennessee veterans, Manhattan Project workers, and Cold War patriots.”
Refreshments will be served during intermission.
The event is free and open to the public.
The release said the nonprofit organization Friends of the Grove Theater is “proud to see the theater again show this historic film.”
The event committee is immediately seeking corporate sponsors for this historic event. Please contact Betty Stokes at stokesbr@comcast.net or (865) 483-3202.
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