Who can lay claim to our history?

This is a question we find ourselves asking often as we seek partners for our much needed social studies programs. Many on the democratic left, almost shy away from initiatives that seek to promote the teaching of history in our schools, considering it to be the sole preserve of the republican right; almost as if that particular political opportunity has been lost to them-hijacked to be more precise. And now any teaching that seeks to honor American heroes save for the great men and women of the civil rights movement, or the abolitionists, is practically taboo. Who will suffer most as a consequence of this thinking? 

It's our children and the nation that we will leave in their hands, who will pay the price for shortsightedness and political insecurity.

This cannot be the right path to take as we head into challenging times. Our history, the good and the bad, is an inclusive history, which belongs to each and every American. Yes, we are fond of talking about fashionable subjects such as reflective democracy, but surely we first need to teach our children the very meaning of democracy. We need to illustrate the myriad examples of how our democracy; imperfect as it may be, came into existence. They need to hear of the blood that was spilled to preserve it and how Americans rose up to aid in the fight against the very antithesis of democracy, totalitarianism.

Surely history is a subject that should be close to the heart of every American. No matter which side of the political divide we occupy, we should ensure that our children are well informed and that our teachers have the materials and the support to make it happen.

No one can lay claim exclusively to our history. It belongs to all of us, and we must rise above partisan politics to ensure that we do not become a nation, which blindly ambles into an uncertain future, unaware of the events of the past, but hopeful the mantra of in ignorance we trust, will get us by.

Livingbattlefield of SC 501(c)3

If you would like to know more about our classroom programs please write to richard@livingbattlefield.org

www.operation-ignite.org

Virtual D-Day Tour For Schools In Lake City, South Carolina.

History-Loving Town Steps up to Preserve D-Day Legacy

Lake City, SC - The Community Museum Society of Lake City, South Carolina has joined a growing list of organizations across the country supporting IGNITE, the Livingbattlefield-National Infantry Foundation D-Day initiative.

The IGNITE project centers around a special D-Day for schools teaching aid, which enables social studies teachers to take their classes on a virtual tour of the Normandy battlefields. Lessons are launched with the engaging public television film, The Americans on D-Day, produced by Livingbattlefield. Lesson plans, maps, and suggested classroom activities accompany the film.

Lake City, South Carolina is already at the forefront of historical preservation, with a major program of building restoration, and the development of a thriving historical and arts community. The town is fast becoming the place to go for visitors to the South.

Chief Executive, Ray McBride.

“Promoting important American historical events in our schools is a natural extension of our plans to help Lake City grow into a cultural mecca,” said Executive Director, Ray McBride, “Next year will be the seventieth anniversary of D-Day and we believe that kids should really understand just how brave our soldiers were and how much was sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. The Americans on D-Day represents a new, hands-on way of explaining history to our young people, and we are delighted to become a supporter of this important initiative.”

The film’s writer and director, Richard Lanni said, after a recent visit to Lake City, “As I drove into this charming Southern Town, I was blown away by the sense of history. The sympathetic restoration of buildings that date back to a bygone era, together with the energy and enthusiasm of the management team, make Lake City a shinning example of how history and the modern world can co-exist harmoniously. We are delighted that Lake City students will add to their knowledge of history using our IGNITE learning pack.”

For more information contact:

Ray McBride

rmcbride@cmslc.org

Heidi Lanni

heidi@livingbattlefield.org

History boring? Not any more

 

Down the ramp

For years social studies teachers have struggled to connect with their history students, but now, thanks to an eccentric Normandy battlefield guide,  pupils can travel on an exhilarating real-time ride, see the weapons of war, and experience the fury of combat.

Storming up the beaches of D-Day with rifle in hand while machine gun fire rattles all around, or climbing into a C47 aircraft with 150 lbs. of equipment, are all tactics used by South Carolina filmmakers, Livingbattlefield, and their enigmatic tour guide, to engage with students.

                                                                                       von Seibold at H-Hour

Guide, Ellwood von Seibold, who lives in Normandy, drives a 1943 Dodge command car like General George Patton, and owns a weapons and uniform collection that would make a museum jealous, was recently made an honorary officer in the US Army for his services to preserving American History.

D-Day in and out of the classroom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96u732rwKyU

“I am totally humbled. I just love sharing my passion for these momentous events,” said von Seibold.

The Americans on D-Day, the first part of a battlefield tour trilogy, has aired on PBS stations more than 1000 times nationwide and has now been turned into a special edition for schools, complete with lesson plans, suggested activities and graphic maps. Veterans of that Day of Days explain how it was, while young re-enactors in period uniform re-create the actions.  The use of an on-screen clock, together with a maps that never leave the viewer in any doubt as to where they are or what time of day it is, all add to the interactive experience.

Around the crash site

http://www.livingbattlefield.org/schools.html

                                                              

Described by the American Legion as “the next best thing to being there” and recently given pick of the day, by preeminent school books and media reviewers, School Library Journal, The Americans on D-Day could help turn the tide of the war against classroom apathy.

Deadly fire.

 

Supported by history loving organizations and corporations, D-Day for schools is capturing the attention of educators across the country.

Filmmakers Livingbattlefield are a partner with The National Infantry Foundation at Fort Benning, Georgia.   http://www.livingbattlefield.org



 

Order Operation Ignite for your local school, it's only $50.00. email: heidi@livingbattlefield.org or call 917-231-1231