‘Operation Ignite’ Teaches Students the Real Story of D-Day

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Documentary Filmmakers Seek to ‘Ignite’ a Passion for History in Students

(July 3, 2012) – Livingbattlefield and the National Infantry Museum Foundation (NIMF) together are launching educational initiative ‘Operation Ignite’ to educate students nationwide about World War II in an engaging way. The initiative features historical documentary The Americans on D-Day, seen more than 3,000 times on public television stations nationwide, and highly recommended by historical sources. LB and NIMF hope to set a new trend nationwide for how students learn American history.

The Americans on D-Day is different from your average documentary; it’s made to engage viewers, especially young people, with easily understandable American history. Host Ellwood von Seibold (U.S. Army Honorary Captain and top European battlefield tour guide) passionately runs and jumps through the same exact European battlefields American troops fought on in Operation Overlord in 1944. His presentation is underpinned with powerful veteran testimonies, archival footage, and period uniforms and weapons. Filmmaker Richard Lanni says this ‘battlefield tour’ format makes the film an effective teaching tool. “We’ve heard that students like Ellwood, and the exciting way he makes the battle come alive -- this is no ordinary history lesson."

Operation Ignite has caught the attention of teachers nationwide and the film is already used in select classrooms. The documentary is supported by a lesson plan developed by Doug Barber, who teaches history at the Centerville City Schools in Ohio. “Students remain engaged and come away with an understanding of these relatively complex events. Anyone who teaches WWII as a unit of study will find them essential,” Barber said. Operation Ignite features two DVDs of The Americans on D-Day and detailed lesson plans for every school sponsored.

Ben Williams, NIMF President, said that Operation Ignite could make a real impact in classrooms, "because we're bringing the story of D-Day to high schools and middle schools throughout America. We'll be teaching our youth about the sacrifices our 'Greatest Generation' made on D-Day, and how the Normandy Invasion was absolutely critical in defeating Hitler and ending World War II in Europe."

“We need to make sure our younger generation knows what happened on D-Day," Williams said, "so they will remember for the rest of their lives. That's why our foundation is partnering with Livingbattlefield to make this film and lesson plan available to teachers nationwide. It is a lesson too important to forget."

The Livingbattlefield-NIMF partnership is seeking patriotic American businesses, corporations and civic groups to support Operation Ignite. The cost is $50 per school. For more information, contact Livingbattlefield at (917) 231-1231 or Rachael Wilson at Rachael@livingbattlefield.org.

Donate now to place Operation Ignite into the school of your choice 
for just $50 per school.