Tom Toone of Little Rock has presented $10,000 to the Arkansas Educational Television Network Foundation to support "In Their Words: AETN's World War II Oral Histories Project."

Toone, who has contributed his story to the project, made the donation in honor of his late wife Agnes (Hess) Toone, whom he called his "greatest blessing." They were married during the war in 1942 and enjoyed a 64-year marriage.

Toone is a Pearl Harbor survivor who was aboard the USS California on Dec. 7, 1941. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps on Dec. 7, 1940, and was serving as an ordinance man exactly one year later when the attack occurred. His battle station had him in the fire control tower where he was one of the few persons who had a full 360-degree view of the entire attack.

After the war, Toone joined the U.S. Army and served with distinction in Korea and Vietnam, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by his retirement in 1969.

Both Tom and Agnes participated in AETN's World War II veterans Tribute Tour to Washington, D.C., in June 2007 and were part of the 90-minute film produced from the trip, "Their Journey: A Veterans' Tribute Tour."

On hand for the presentation were: Toone; daughter, Mary Lou Perri, AETN Executive Director Allen Weatherly; In Their Words Producer Gabe Gentry; and Tom's caretaker from Parkway Village, Donnie Barnes.

Since 2005, AETN has completed more than 350 veteran interviews; created an interactive archival Web site, www.intheirwords.org; taken 47 World War II veterans to visit the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.; and documented the trip in a 90-minute film, "Their Journey: A Veterans' Tribute Tour."

The Arkansas Educational Television Network (www.aetn.org) provides lifelong learning opportunities, improves and enhances Arkansans' trade; lives and celebrates the unique culture of Arkansas through its programming and services. AETN's digital and analog transmitters and numerous cable system connections give it statewide reach.