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.
