Jean Snedeger wasted no time Saturday when she walked inside the Dole Institute of Politics for the first time.

With her husband, Charles, by her side, she peered up at the Memory Wall — with photos of 960 Kansas World War II veterans — and found a photo of a young sailor.

He was instantly recognizable to her.

“Ooh, there you are,” she said, smiling at her husband. “Oh, you’re so good looking.”

The scene was commonplace as the public got its first view of the building, which is set to be dedicated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Crews worked into the night Friday to have it completed in time for the opening.

A steady stream of hundreds of people came through the doors, though no official count was taken. They examined the exhibits, which chronicle former Sen. Bob Dole’s life, and gazed at the stained glass windows — one of a U.S. flag, the other depicting Dole’s hometown of Russell.

The building, near the Lied Center on Kansas University’s west campus, will re-open for tours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. It also will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Dole has said he intended the institute to be about politics and pay homage to veterans, and that hits home for Charles Snedeger. Snedeger, 77, Lawrence, served from 1943 to 1946 in the U.S. Navy, and he said having his photo included in the montage was an honor.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “I think it’s special. This is quite a thing.”

Outside the Dole Institute of Politics, Van and Shannon Vandaveer and their 3-month-old son, Riley, of Lawrence, view a display of restored military vehicles Saturday.

Ed Alexander, Lawrence, was another World War II veteran who toured the facility shortly after it opened in late afternoon. Alexander, 83, served from 1942 to 1945 in the U.S. Army Airborne.

“It’s a beautiful building and a wonderful addition to the campus,” he said. “They did a wonderful job.”

Alexander said he intended to make it to every event upcoming in the next three days surrounding the Dole Institute dedication.

“I’ll be at every one of these,” he said. “It’s a big deal for Lawrence.”

And he said he was especially happy a younger generation would learn about World War II, both through the dedication and the institute.

¢ Photo gallery¢ 6News video: Dole Institute opens to public¢ History comes alive at opening¢ Steady stream of visitors attends center’s opening¢ Interfaith worship service begins first of dedication’s major events¢ Vintage aircraft display brings fond memories to WWII veterans¢ Who’s who of Kansans to attend dedication¢ Patience urged around campus¢Schedule of events

“These heroes are dying off,” he said. “This will bring the people of the future our history.”

It wasn’t just the “Greatest Generation” who enjoyed the building Saturday. Jacinta Langford, a 22-year-old senior at KU, said she toured the building to bolster her knowledge of U.S. history.

“There’s a lot here I didn’t know about Bob Dole,” she said. “It’s interesting to see where he came from and where he went.”

She said the unique building would add to the experience of learning about history and politics.

“I think it’s amazing,” she said. “It’s not conventional. It’s laid out nicely. I just think it’s going to attract a lot of national attention to KU.”

Ted Simmons, 15, of New Jersey, was among the out-of-town visitors at the institute Saturday. He was visiting relatives this weekend.

He said most of what he knew about Bob Dole was through television advertisements for Viagra, Visa and Pepsi.

“I didn’t know much, but I’d seen the ads,” Simmons said. “I’m impressed. I like to see his transformation from when he was a child to when he came to power.”