Beginning at 6:00pm, the evening features a film screening of The Americans in the Bulge, one of the American Road to Victory trilogy, widely featured on public television this year. 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. The program will take place at the Upcountry History Museum Theatre. This screening is free and open to the public. Call 527-9293 to register.

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.

The charismatic host of the series is Ellwood von Seibold, a surprisingly agile and energetic 63 year-old who literally runs, climbs and crawls through Europe At many of these stops, von Seibold�s narration is punctuated with short archival clips, re-enactments and interviews from World War II vets sharing their harrowing memories. Recently, Von Seibold was given an honorary rank of Captain in the US Army, for his tireless work to keep American WWII history alive.

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.�

Greenville County Library System and the Upcountry History Museum invite everyone from ages 12 and up to share this momentous occasion. At a time when veterans of World War II are passing at an alarming rate, The American Road to Victory trilogy constitutes an important record of wartime memories.

More details on the film:

The Americans in the Bulge examines the bloodiest and most costly campaign ever fought by US forces. From the frozen Ardennes Forests to Malmedy, St. Vith, and Bastogne, von Seibold shows both the unimaginable conditions these soldiers endured, as well as their heroic efforts to foil the Nazis' plan to encircle and destroy the Allied Forces. Along the way, von Seibold, in his trademark fashion, runs across the fog-shrouded hills and jumps into the foxholes, providing a unique soldier�s point-of-view. In the process he untangles what is perhaps one of the most complex offensives of WWII, and makes it easy to follow and understand.

Eminent historian and college professor, John McManus,Ph.D author of Alamo in The Ardennes, said of The Americans in The Bulge, �The Americans in the Bulge is an entertaining, accurate, absorbing look at the American experience in that monumental struggle. The film brings the past to life, conveying the look and feel of the battle. Whether you are a novice or an expert on World War II, there is something for you to see in this fine movie. I wish that all filmmakers would present history this way!'

This program is sponsored by The Humanities CouncilSC, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities; inspiring, engaging and enriching South Carolinians with programs on literature, history, culture and heritage.

Livingbattlefield.org is a South Carolina non-profit corporation. People wishing to obtain more information or purchase copies of the films should visit www.livingbattlefield.org. In addition, the filmmakers continue to engage new viewers and report new stories on World War II veterans through their blog, http://livingbattlefield.blogspot.com/.

Greenville County Library System contact: Darcey Mesaris

Email:[email protected]

Phone: 864.527.9293

Upcountry History Museum contact: Meg Pierson

Email:[email protected]

Phone: (864)467-3100 x 104

Livingbattlefield.org contact: Heidi Mehltretter

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1 803.429.7500

About the Greenville County Library System:

Founded in 1921, the Greenville County Library System operates 11 facilities, a bookmobile, and a website that provide information, materials, and engaging programs delivered with world-class technology and a customer-centric approach. The Library System offers free access to resources and experiences and continually strives to be the community�s destination of choice for exploring the world. For more information, visit the Library�s website at www.greenvillelibrary.org.

(Image provided by Greenville County Library System.)

Looking for more happenings in the area? Check out greenville.com's comprehensive visitor center.