The American Road to Victory finds a home Fort Benning, GA

For Immediate Release

National memorial joins forces with  filmmakers

The National Infantry Museum Foundation at Fort Benning, Ga., home of a powerful tribute to U.S. infantrymen through the ages, and Livingbattlefield,  producers of the groundbreaking World War II film trilogy, The American Road to Victory, have partnered to further their shared mission of keeping military history alive.

The museum, located outside one of the Army's major recruit training facilities, has become a sponsor of the World War II film trilogy, which has aired more than 1,200 times on PBS affiliates nationwide.

"We knew, after screening one of the films in our theater on Veterans Day, that we wanted to be a part of this," said foundation president Ben Williams. "The films represent a great example of everything we stand for -- real history for families. "

"This is such an honor for us", said Heidi Lanni, Livingbattlefield’s CEO and wife of series director Richard Lanni. "Receiving support from such an important national institution tells us that our decision to work outside the box of traditional war documentaries -- to look at war from a foxhole level -- was the right one to make.”

Foundation President, Ben Williams & film director

 Lanni

The films, which will continue to air nationally, take the form of battlefield tours. Shot in real time, in the exact locations, they are underpinned by powerful veterans' testimonies, graphics and re-enactments. Presenting the series is colorful front man, Ellwood von Seibold, one of Europe’s leading battlefield guides and an honorary officer in the U.S. Army.

Series viewers get the opportunity to travel along with Ellwood in his 1943 Dodge command car from the blood-soaked beaches of Normandy, through the killing fields of Holland, to the freezing forests of the Bulge.

Many veterans featured in the series passed through Fort Benning during WWII.

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Media contacts:

Ben Williams: bwilliams@nationalinfantryfoundation.org

Marty Callaghan: marty@livingbattlefield.org

Websites:

National Infantry Museum  http://www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com

The American Road to Victory  http://www.livingbattlefield.org

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.