'Over There'

 

Livingbattlefield is raising funds for its new series of documentary programs, Over There: Doughboys in the Great War, which has already been picked up by American Public Television for broadcast.

Doughboys will follow in the tradition of our ground-breaking World War II series for public television, The American Road to Victory. We've just gotten the latest broadcast numbers for "Road," and the series has (or will soon be) aired in more than 90 percent of the PBS market!

We'd like to recruit some of our fans to help get "Doughboys" broadcast in 2014 (the 100th anniversary of World War I). We're not asking for donations -- we're asking you to become part of our sales force by offering a unique product to friends, relatives and fellow history aficionados.

Magnetic, embossed wallet with challenge coin.

This is it! Our special collector's edition of The American Road to Victory! Without leaving home -- or the country -- people can enjoy three battlefield tours led by our stalwart guide and military historian, Captain (honorary) Ellwood von Seibold. Riding in his 1943 Dodge command car, Ellwood takes viewers across the terrain of Europe, explaining the hardships and sacrifices of our American troops in a way that only he can -- from foxhole-level, in three highly entertaining and informative programs: The Americans on D-Day, The Americans on Hell's Highway, and The Americans in the Bulge.

Recycled packaging and cork DVD hubs

Packaged in an elegant casing, the DVD trilogy is accompanied by a detailed campaign map and an impressive challenge coin, stamped by The North West Territorial Mint (makers of America's highest military award, the Medal of Honor).

This unique challenge coin was designed in conjunction with our partners, the National Infantry Foundation.

1.75" brass Challenge Coin, made in the USA

Our new collector's edition will be launched on June 1 at a price of $79.95. The "Road to Victory" series has been enjoyed by the viewing public in more than 1,300 broadcasts across America (another 1,600 broadcasts are scheduled for this year).

Now people all over America with an interest in World War II will be able to purchase our highly collectible special edition of The American Road to Victory, for themselves or as memorable gifts to others who value the legacy of our "Greatest Generation."

Here's what retired Marine Captain Dale Dye, military advisor for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Band of Brothers,"and the presenter for Doughboys, has to say about our "Road to Victory" series:

"Everyone I’ve encountered who has seen 'The American Road to Victory' - from young students to historians and nit-picking military enthusiasts - has told me it’s the best and most inspiring view of World War II in the European Theater of Operation they’ve ever seen."

Now we want to show America what it was like to fight in the trenches of World War I -- from foxhole-level again -- what it was like to plunge into "no man's land," stumble through clouds of mustard gas, struggle to sleep in the midst of deafening artillery barrages that went for hours on end.

What was it like to fight nearly a century ago, in the "war to end all wars?" Our Doughboys series will be "the next best thing to being there," as The American Legion said of our Americans on D-Day program.

History lovers unite! Join Livingbattlefield in creating our epic 4-part Doughboys documentary series for public television. If you would like to become a member of our national sales force, please contact our chief executive officer, Heidi Lanni: heidi@livingbattlefield.org.

Hollywood's premier military adviser to present WWI miniseries.

Livingbattlefield are delighted to confirm Dale Dye USMC (retired) as the presenter and military adviser for our new 4 part mini series on WWI, Over There, Doughboys in the Great War.
Livingbattlefield's CEO Heidi Lanni, who is also the wife of the writer/director, said "having Dale on-board is fantastic; not only for his amazing skills as a presenter, but also for his vast military knowledge. Now we can really start to gather momentum with this important project."

Captain Dale Dye.

 

"As Hollywood’s most recognized and experienced Military Advisor to film and TV productions, I get dozens of proposals yearly to either help in production or serve as host to war-themed documentaries.  Most of these are half-baked, down and dirty, fast and fuzzy compilations of talking heads and stock footage with little to contribute either to education or entertainment.  That’s the reason I jumped at the chance to work with documentarian and filmmaker Richard Lanni and his staff.  Richard combines an inspirational passion for his projects with an extraordinary depth of research that makes his treatment of military themes both valuable additions to the historical record and sprightly, engaging entertainments.

            A sterling example of his expertise is the current multi-part treatment of the United States Army experience in World War II in the European Theater of Operations titled “The American Road to Victory.”  It was both a distinct honor and a professional challenge to advise Richard Lanni on this impressive project and contribute whatever he needed to bring the work the high-profile it so richly deserves.  The result of his hard work and dogged dedication to the subject matter has turned out to be one of the most incisive and fascinating looks at World War II from the perspective of the average soldier who faced and defeated Nazi Germany on the European continent.  Everyone I’ve encountered who has seen “The American Road to Victory”  - from young students to historians and nit-picking military enthusiasts - has told me it’s the best and most inspiring view of World War II in the ETO they’ve ever seen.

            And that’s the reason I’m so proud to join Richard Lanni in his next project which will take us back a bit in military history to World War I.  I’m privileged to serve as presenter as well as advisor to “Over There:  Doughboys in the Great War.”  This will be an in-depth, intriguing and inspiring look at one of the most pivotal and costly conflicts in the history of mankind.  Richard and I will answer many of the nagging questions about that seminal war, examine the leaps in technology involved such as tanks and aircraft, and give our audiences a feel for the brutal, dehumanizing experience of static war in muddy, bloody trenches.  I’m excited to be back on the road with Richard Lanni and his staff of talented filmmakers and I’ve got my window seat reserved as we take our audiences back in time to The Great War."    

The team  have also been bolstered by the addition of author and historian, John C. McManus Ph.D, who will ensure the historical accuracy of the mini-series.

The American Road to Victory finds a home Fort Benning, GA

For Immediate Release

National memorial joins forces with  filmmakers

The National Infantry Museum Foundation at Fort Benning, Ga., home of a powerful tribute to U.S. infantrymen through the ages, and Livingbattlefield,  producers of the groundbreaking World War II film trilogy, The American Road to Victory, have partnered to further their shared mission of keeping military history alive.

The museum, located outside one of the Army's major recruit training facilities, has become a sponsor of the World War II film trilogy, which has aired more than 1,200 times on PBS affiliates nationwide.

"We knew, after screening one of the films in our theater on Veterans Day, that we wanted to be a part of this," said foundation president Ben Williams. "The films represent a great example of everything we stand for -- real history for families. "

"This is such an honor for us", said Heidi Lanni, Livingbattlefield’s CEO and wife of series director Richard Lanni. "Receiving support from such an important national institution tells us that our decision to work outside the box of traditional war documentaries -- to look at war from a foxhole level -- was the right one to make.”

Foundation President, Ben Williams & film director

 Lanni

The films, which will continue to air nationally, take the form of battlefield tours. Shot in real time, in the exact locations, they are underpinned by powerful veterans' testimonies, graphics and re-enactments. Presenting the series is colorful front man, Ellwood von Seibold, one of Europe’s leading battlefield guides and an honorary officer in the U.S. Army.

Series viewers get the opportunity to travel along with Ellwood in his 1943 Dodge command car from the blood-soaked beaches of Normandy, through the killing fields of Holland, to the freezing forests of the Bulge.

Many veterans featured in the series passed through Fort Benning during WWII.

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Media contacts:

Ben Williams: bwilliams@nationalinfantryfoundation.org

Marty Callaghan: marty@livingbattlefield.org

Websites:

National Infantry Museum  http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com

The American Road to Victory  http://www.livingbattlefield.org

Community Outreach Update

News clippings from February

It has been an incredibly busy winter for the Livingbattlefield crew, as we’ve criss-crossed the Southeast, holding outreach screenings, mainly in libraries - the heart of most communities.  At each screening, we show one of the American Road to Victory films, and then invite local WWII veterans to share their personal war memories with audience members. The stories they've told have had audiences shivering with cold, tearing up with empathy and even laughing at the absurd things that can happen in the midst of war.

Richard introduces The Americans in the Bulge in Florence

The most popular film for this time of year has been the snow-filled Americans in the Bulge. Because the Bulge was so late in WWII, and because it was such a huge battle, every town we visited had veterans from the Bulge participate in the screenings. At the Florence County Library, fourteen WWII veterans attended the screening, nine of whom fought in the Bulge. One of the veterans had even served on a firing squad following the Nuremberg trials, something he talked about because a scene in the film featured actual footage from an American firing squad. He described his role, and said it was something he had to do, but an experience that was difficult to put out of his mind.

Sumter veteran speaks

The film triggered many memories. Veteran Jim Martin, featured in the film, said that Patton's Army didn't need to rescue the 101st Airborne, who were locked into trench warfare when Patton broke through with fresh troops. Martin said as long as the skies remained clear and they could get supplies, he and the other 101st paratroopers could have continued to fight on their own. Well, following the screening, another 101st veteran held a different view.

"I don't know about that guy, but I'll tell you right now, I was GLAD to see Patton!" 

The audience burst into laughter.

Stories of humanity were lovely to hear. One veteran talked about walking down a wooded path, exhausted and hungry. He saw a little German girl, all alone, holding a basket. The little girl ventured out to the path where he was walking and handed him a painted Easter egg.

veteran discusses segregation

We were reminded of the history that can still be touched when one veteran at the Orangeburg County library spoke of memories involving his great grandfather, who fought in the CIVIL war! He talked about this grandfather taking him to see the steam trains when he was a little boy. He also talked about what it was like to be a part of a segregated fighting unit in World War II. Richard, the film's director, then discussed how the Battle of the Bulge, in particular, was a turning point in segregation, and a chance for blacks and whites to fight side by side. The need was so great for soldiers at that point in the war,  blacks who might have only been allowed to drive trucks or to cook were handed rifles and told to fight.

Young lady thanks veterans for their sacrifices to help keep our country free

We are particularly excited when young people attend the screenings. Younger people seem to be deeply impacted by the bravery they witness during the films, and the opportunity to meet veterans who, when they were young, were committed to do anything and give everything for their country.

Young lady introduces her uncle to Richard, in front of her project

People often bring personal scrapbooks and letters to the screenings, and veterans might bring their medals, or objects they captured or found during the war. One young lady even brought her school project, which was about her uncle's experiences in WWII.  Following the Greenville County Library screening, local re-enactors attending the film allowed two young boys in the audience to hold actual WWII rifles.

All in all, the outreaches provided a wonderful opportunity for communities to explore the rich tapestry of their shared history. We received a lot of audience feedback, stressing the need to do these screenings throughout the country. But, it takes an enormous amount of time to set up good screenings, and, frankly, there is not much time left with our veterans to do them. So, in response, we are now hard at work on a screening packet for libraries. The packet will include instructions on how to find local veterans, customizable press releases and information on how to get the word out about a screening, poster art, a video introduction to the films and Q&A ideas to follow the films. We are offering this screening packet free to libraries that put The American Road to Victory trilogy into circulation.

We are seeking a corporate sponsor, to help get the films and screening packets into the hands of libraries throughout the US. Ideas are welcome! So, if you work with a corporation that might be interested in sponsoring community outreach screenings, or, if you work at a library that would like to hold an outreach, please contact Meredith in our office at 917-231-1231. Or, write to her at meredith at livingbattlefield dot org.

Library Screenings in SC

We are thrilled to be launching our 2012 community outreach screenings at the end of this month, in libraries across South Carolina.

Each of these winter screenings feature The Americans in the Bulge, one of the American Road to Victory trilogy. A veteran from the Bulge will speak with the audience following the screening. Also participating will be filmmaker and Battle of the Bulge historian, Richard Lanni. These screenings are free and open to the public.

Heidi Mehltretter, Executive Director for Livingbattlefield.org, said, “There is something magical that happens when veterans watch these films and then share their personal memories with the audience. No one leaves this experience untouched.”

With its fast-paced tour of the battlefields of Europe, the film series engages a wide audience interested in history and travel. Unlike most war documentaries, this series is filmed in the exact locations, and weather conditions, that existed when the actions took place.

Director Richard Lanni said, “We wanted to create something that would engage, enlighten and entertain, viewers. It is essential that we ensure that the achievements of these great men and women are not consigned to the dusty archives of ancient history.”

Please join us at one of these events! Support for this event has been made possible in part through the Humanities Council of South Carolina. Questions about the events should be emailed to heidi at livingbattlefield dot org.

Screening Schedule:

Tuesday, January 31st, Collenton County Memorial Library, 6pm
600 Hampton Street
Walterboro, SC 29488
The Americans in the Bulge

Tuesday, February 7th, Orangeburg County Library, 6pm
510 Louis Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115
The Americans in the Bulge

Thursday, February 9th, Florence County Library, 3pm
509 South Dargan Street
Florence, SC 29506
The Americans in the Bulge

Friday, February 10th, Greenville Library, 6pm
25 Heritage Green Pl
Greenville, SC 29601
The Americans in the Bulge

Saturday, February 11th, Calhoun County Library, 12:30pm
900 F R Huff Drive
St. Matthews, SC 29135
The Americans in the Bulge

Tuesday, February 28th, Sumter County Library, 6pm
111 North Harvin Street
Sumter, SC 29150-4988
The Americans in the Bulge

Locate a Grave

Our films feature a number of stories involving recipients of the Medal of Honor, the United States highest recognition of an individual soldier's bravery. Today, I'm going to get a bit personal, and tell you these are my favorite parts of the films.

After visiting the Medal of Honor memorial at Ft. Benning, I began researching Chester Furman, MOH recipient for actions during the Civil War. Furman was my great, great, great grandfather, on my mother's side of the family. My uncle, Robert Beckley, sent me these photos of his medal. The darker one is an earlier version that was later replaced because it was too easy to duplicate. Obviously, these medals are a tremendous treasure in our family, and it's an honor for me to be able to share them here.

Equally important to preserving the memory of our nation's heroes are their graves. And, while I was doing my research, I went to LocateGrave.org to find Chester Furman's final resting place. I found two photos, and sent a message thanking the photographer. In reply, I received a lovely email from a student working with LocateGrave.org. 

Evan Thomas, who studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara, partnered with FindTheData.Org to help create a tool for finding graves of veterans and veteran family members.  The grave listings come directly from a public data set recently released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  You can use the access the tool at LocateGrave.org or use the widget below.

Veteran Gravesites

Vets and their families might also be interested in the Medal of Honor Recipients Database.

Find Medal of Honor Recipients

If you have any questions or comments about the grave locator, feel free to contact Evan at evan_thomas (@) umail.ucsb.edu