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

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

'Blue Skies' Vinnie

Vincent B. Vicari
(October 25, 1919 - December 5, 2011)

Name: Vincent B. Vicari, 92, of Bethlehem Twp., PA passed away on December 5, 2011 at his home.

Born: Vincent was born in New York, NY on October 25, 1919. He was the son of the late Ambrose and Vincenza (Lapi) Vicari.

Personal: Vincent served his country in the European Theatre of WWII in the 101st Airborne Division (“The Screaming Eagles”) of the United States Army as a Captain and aide to General Anthony C. McAuliffe. He took part in the Battle of the Bulge and the Siege of Bastogne. He received four battle stars for action in Normandy, Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe.

Vinnie appeared in both The Americans on D-Day and The Americans in The Bulge. He was a real trooper and a warm human being, whose humor masked the horrors of Bastogne. His interviews in our films always raised a laugh. "I was afraid of heights" said Vinnie when asked to ride co-pilot in a glider on D-Day.

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.