Local DAR chapter in Illinois, gather sponsors for Ignite

 Christy Short, Regent of the Samuel Elder Chapter of The Daughters of The American Revolution in Gallatin County, Illinois, gathers sponsors to place Operation Ignite into local schools.

".....This has been the easiest project I have put together so far. You are the ones that did all the hard work before hand. Thanks again."
Sincerely,
Christy Short
Regent Samuel Elder Chapter NSDAR

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

D-Day for schools receives an exciting review.

Pick of the Day: The Americans on D-Day (DVD)

By SLJ on November 13, 2012 

 
The Americans on D-Day. DVD. 56 min. with tchr’s. guide on CD. Prod. by Labyrinth Media & Pub. Dist. by Livingbattlefield.org. 2012. ISBN 978-0-615-67814-6. $25.
Gr 7 Up–The June 1944 assault on Hitler’s Fortress Europe by Allied military forces is remembered as a pivotal point in 20th-century history. This well-crafted documentary takes an unusual approach to explaining the planning and execution phases of the invasion. In addition to the usual assemblage of vintage still images and film footage, the producers attempt to bring viewers to the front lines as a contemporary battlefield guide leads us into the foray as he assumes the roles of various soldiers—American as well as German— taking part in combat. Supplemented by a well-formulated mix of credible re-creations, interviews with actual participants on both sides, and crisp graphics, the audience is on the Normandy battlefields as well as in airborne gliders and naval landing craft as were the combatants on this horrifying day. While the content focuses on American forces, the larger picture clearly emerges and concludes with a moving visit to the vast American cemetery in Normandy. In covering World War II, only select highlights of the offensive are presented so that the film can be used within classroom periods. This film is also available as part of a trilogy—The American Road to Victory—which includes coverage of the Battle of the Bulge as well as the Allied push into Germany. Options include chapter selection, closed-captioning, and descriptive video as well as two extra segments on weapons, training, and the uniforms of this campaign. The accompanying CD includes basic lesson/activity suggestions. Even though the tour guide can be a bit overly intense at times, this is a solid purchase for all media collections.–Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

Rural Libraries Offer a Shinning Example of Patriotism

In rural libraries across the nation, communities have come together to embrace their WWII heroes, as the clock ticks ever faster for this dwindling band of warriors. 

Navy veteran receives standing ovation

From Tolono, Illinois to Leesburg, Florida, this past Veterans Day weekend has witnessed countless groups of library patrons join together to watch special screenings of a public television series on WWII. The American Road to Victory trilogy, a joint history project presented by filmmakers Livingbattlefield and The National Infantry Foundation is the conduit by which these groups can view the actions of their local veterans in context.

William Chiappini, a library director from Melrose Florida wrote of a recent screening of The Americans on D-Day,

“Our D-Day library program was held yesterday to the delight of all.  Forty-three people attended (this is a small community), and four WWII vets were there in seats of honor.  A local French lady from Normandy, who was 12 at the time of the invasion, also surprised us.  She spoke after the film and gave a very heartfelt thanks for the sacrifices to save her country . . . . The program prompted a call for oral histories of our vets which we will turn over to Historic Melrose for follow-up.  We look forward to showing the other two films in the future.”

“Rural Libraries have been the perfect vehicle for our Road to Victory initiative,"said Livingbattlefield’s Executive Director, Heidi Lanni, "While a small number of city library systems, such as Boston, have also been holding screenings, the real interest has come from the smaller libraries, where there seems to be more time to organize these events, and great passion for the subject.”

Livingbattlefield will continue their library outreach until 2014, the 70th anniversary of the three campaigns featured in the trilogy.

“Sadly, we are losing these amazing people at an alarming rate,” said Heidi, “ I don’t know how many will be with us by then, but library communities will continue to have the chance to participate in what must surely be their last hurrah . . . . No matter what direction your political compass is pointing, or how you feel about war, this program honors American heroes from the last clearly defined and unambiguous conflict.”

Livingbattlefield is a 501(c)3 charity and a partner with The National Infantry Foundation at Fort Benning Georgia. Libraries wishing to be a part of The Road to Victory project should contact Heidi Lanni: Heidi@livingbattlefield.org

Libraries which acquire a copy of The American Road to Victory trilogy for their collection automatically qualify for the free screening pack, which includes lifetime public performance rights, an intro video by the director, a how-to guide, as well as sample press releases and artwork.