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

‘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.

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 Rachael in our office at 917-231-1231. Or, write to her at rachael 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

I Danced with Marlene Dietrich

Richard Lanni speaks with Linda Ketron outside the Strand

At two screenings of The Americans on D-Day, one at the beautiful Strand Theater, Georgetown, South Carolina, on December 3^rd, and the other at The History Place, in Moorehead City, North Carolina, on Decmber 6^th, WWII veteran Earl W. Norwood described how he got the chance to dance with Marlene Dietrich and shake the hand of King George VI before going off to take part in an event, which Earl said shaped his life forever.

Standing Ovation

Earl Norwood autographs a card for a young viewer

Just 17 years old when he joined the Navy, Earl was one of the youngest pilots of an LCVP, landing craft off Bloody Omaha beach. There was not a dry eye in the place as he described driving his craft up on to the beach, dropping the ramp and seeing three soldiers cut in half by machine gun fire. “The other thirty guys just climbed over their dead buddies and rushed on to the beach. That memory will remain with me forever”.

Earl, who later joined the US army, fighting in both Korea and Vietnam said:

“Whenever I was in a tight spot I just remembered the courage I witnessed on D-Day and that spurred me on.”

Earl made 5 trips into the fateful beach on D-Day, and then spent several days trawling the choppy waters for dead soldiers. Finding this just too harrowing, he asked his commanding officer to give the job to someone else. “Just remember this, Son”, said the captain, “every time you recover a body, some mother back at home will know what happened to her son and where he is.” 

“We just went right back to work” said Earl.

 

screening at the History Place

At the North Carolina screening, Earl was joined on stage by Morehead City's beloved local historian, Rodney Kemp, and series writer/director, Richard Lanni.

Community screenings of episodes from The American Road to Victory trilogy will continue throughout 2012.

Earl Norwood & Richard Lanni at the Strand

"This is a chance that we must not miss" said Livingbattlefield executive director, Heidi Mehltretter. "We are losing these great warriors at an alarming rate. Occasions such as these, when an audience has the chance to see the real life locations and hear from the men who were there, the experience is nothing less than magical."

Financing for the current tour has been provided in part by both the North Carolina Humanities Council and the Humanities Council SC.

If you would like to hold an event at your museum, library or historical society, please contact heidi (at) livingbattlefield.org or call 803-429-7500.

Community Screenings of The American Road to Victory

In partnership with the North & South Carolina Humanities councils, we are conducting screenings of our American Road to Victory trilogy at libraries, museums and theaters across both States. The purpose of these screenings is to allow members of the public to experience our films, which combine history with travel and to interact with our dwindling band of WWII veterans. As our tour continues we will update this blog with photos.

Bennettsville Library

Last week we conducted a screening of The Americans in The Bulge at the Marian Wright Edelman library in the historic town of Bennettsville, South Carolina. The event which was well supported by the community and attended by a significant number of WWII veterans was a great success.

With Bill Kinney on his walking tour.

Before the screening we were treated to a delicious Southern lunch and a lively tour of historic Bennettsville, South Carolina's 1st Great Town, by local historian and press baron, Bill Kinney.

Bill's knowledge of local history and architecture is impressive. We must return to Bennettsville some day soon, to capture his tour on film.

Library Director Virginia McCraw, and board chairperson, Pat Henegan, whose high standards are apparent throughout the magnificent library complex, worked tirelessly to organize this event.

Greeting a WWII veteran

WWII WAC Pat Smith and Director Richard Lanni

The Audience were fully engaged.

" We were very privileged yesterday to host a viewing of "Americans in the Bulge", a documentary by Livingbattlefied.  Someone from the State Library put out information about this some time ago and I can highly recommend that you take advantage of this awesome programming opportunity.  We are all talking about how good we feel about this since getting to work this morning and we heard only positive comments when people were leaving last evening.

"Heidi Mehltretter and Richard Lanni spent the afternoon and early evening with us.  They left us greatly enriched by their personalities and their art.  Their purpose is to preserve history by documenting battles, filming onsite and at the time of year actual events took place.  We felt like we were actually there... "

Virginia McCraw
Director
Marian Wright Edelman Public Library

The American Road to Victory has aired more than 1000 times on PBS stations since Memorial Day 2011.
Please follow this blog for future outreach screening dates.
Livingbattlefield's community events are organized by Livingbattlefield of South Carolina, a 501(c)3 non profit educational foundation.