Documentary film crew to do interviews in Lawrence for veterans project

Posted by Chad Lawhorn

February 18, 2013 at 8:34 a.m.

UPDATE: Well, Ken Burns fans, don't plan on getting the famed filmmaker to autograph your PBS pledge card just yet. I got in touch with an assistant for the film recently, and it turns out Burns won't be able to make the trip to Lawrence after all. But a crew and the co-director of the Burns project will indeed be in Lawrence as reported below.

A documentary film crew will be at Biggs BBQ, 2429 Iowa Street, tomorrow to film a group of veterans who regularly meet at the restaurant for fellowship and reflection. The crew works for famed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, but despite earlier indications and rumors, it appears Burns himself will not be coming to Lawrence.

It sounds like the Lawrence group is particularly intriguing because it includes some Vietnam veterans, as well as current soldiers and veterans of recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

My understanding is that Burns' crew is filming the documentary for PBS, but the film likely won’t air until 2016.

Doug Holiday, owner of the restaurant, said Biggs will be closed for lunch on Tuesday to accommodate the filming.

The filming will wrap up a good week for Biggs. Although I didn’t see it, my understanding is the restaurant was briefly featured on ESPN’s GameDay coverage when it was in town on Saturday. The restaurant was hired by the network to roast a pig, in order to provide the broadcast a little local flavor.

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msezdsit 4 years, 5 months ago

I have enjoyed watching kens documentaries but the Ken Burns affect has sort of lost its affect. It has been so overused.

Hooligan_016 4 years, 5 months ago

Neat! I haven't had a chance to watch the Dust Bowl series yet ...

Ira Rott 4 years, 5 months ago

I watched the first half of it this weekend, it is excellent so far.

kernal 4 years, 5 months ago

Anyone know what the story is on the man in his 20's (?)who stands at the SW corner of E. 23rd St and Haskell mid to late afternoon with a sign which says he's a disabled veteran and unemployed single dad? Seems there's a story there as well.

Ron Holzwarth 4 years, 5 months ago

There's probably a story, but it might not be what you would expect. He's only a phone call and about 25 miles from help, if he's legitimate. The Veteran's Administration will even pay for transportation expenses for him. The toll free number for the VA in Topeka is 1 (800) 574-8387, and the operator will assist him in determining exactly which department he needs to reach to for help. He will need to arrive with a copy of his DD214, or one can be obtained for him if he cannot locate it.

The problem is that it's all too easy to hold up a sign that says anything you want. If he's really a disabled veteran that's willing to accept help, he's not likely to need help from the public.

Bob Harvey 4 years, 5 months ago

I think I am more interested in the vets group regular get together. Perhaps I should just ask Doug the details. We all need friends and Vet friends often seem to be the best.

Joe Adams 4 years, 5 months ago

Random question. I really like Chad 's Town Talk stories but it seems like since it got converted to a blog, we are only getting one story a day now much more than not. It used to always be three...is this just a time of year thing or are my expectations too much? I miss the three stories a day.

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