Labyrinth Media & Publishing Limited is a new media & publishing business based in Dubland, Ireland.
We specialize in WW2 Battlefield tour dvd’s aimed directly at the United States market.
The company has just completed its new tour film and first of a series entitled The Americans on D-Day. It is presented by Ellwood von Seibold, a battlefield historian and guide based in St Mere Eglise Normandy.
Showing posts with label The American Legion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The American Legion. Show all posts
Ellwood von Seibold Hosts film (image by Mike Forster)
Filming to start in September for Part 2 of The Battlefield Tour Series The Americans on D-Day to VE Day. The Americans D-Day to VE Day will feature popular Battle Tour Guide Host Ellwood von Seibold
Hollywood, CA – August 1, 2000 –Filming will begin in September for Part 2 of The Battlefield Tour Series The Americans D-Day to VE Day.
According to WW2 Reflections, DublinIreland it will include:
The Americans at Hells Highway (Operation Market Garden)
Presenter Ellwood von Seibold will guide us through the U.S paratroopers actions in Holland
The daylight drop zones , the bridges that were taken and held and the famous Waal river crossing of the 504 p.i.r
“There are some of the actions that will be featured,” said Director Richard D. Lanni, who recently toured America with his latest film The Americans On D-Day. “Veterans of the campaign will add to excitement of the battlefield tour, which continues to chart the American forces advance from D-Day to VE (Victgory in Europe) day .”
Lanni plans to use the same battle tour host and talent of the first film, Ellwood von Seibold, who grew up with a dream of giving tours of Normandy as a kid.
"I feel privileged to have this opportunity to present these tours,which help people understand just what these valiant soldiers went through" said Seibold who has been hired by WW2 Reflections to present the whole series.
WW2 Reflections recently filmed the entire St. Mere Eglise ceremonies on the 65th Anniversary of D-Day, where the French Government handed out medal of valor and recognized soldiers for one of the worst battles in War history.
The tour film will also illustrate the daylight drop zones, the bridges that were taken and held, and the famous Waal river crossing of the 504 p.i.rin an action packed educational project. Veteran interviews will add to excitement of the battlefield tour, which continues to chart the American forces advance from D-Day to Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).
Earlier this year, the premiere of The Americans on D-Day was shown at the American Legion Post 43 in Hollywood, CA, where all the military dignitaries involved in the film and who provided testimony in the first film series provided more stories of valor.
The American Legion has posted exclusive footage Online filmed by WW2 Reflections, Dublin, Ireland, of the 65th anniversary ceremonies of D-Day in St. Mere Eglise, Normandy, France. (http://tinyurl.com/lx6gvk)
At the epicenter of D-Day anniversary activities each year is the small town of Ste. Mere Eglise, made famous by the 1962 hit movie "The Longest Day." Each year, even today, veterans, historians, tourists and re-enactors swarm to the Normandy town to see history come alive. Active-duty paratroopers jump from C-130s in the countryside surrounding the town. Parades, wreath-laying ceremonies and activities at the town's AirborneMuseum.
The stars of the world's largest production - a film on the invasion of Normandy, "The Americans on D-Day," premiered in the French language earlier this year. (May 07, 2007.) Several hundred local officials, visiting military dignitaries and stars of the film attended.
"We decided to show it in St. Mere Eglise, Normandy, because it was the first town to be liberated," explained Richard D. Lanni, film director, WW2 Reflections, Dublin, Ireland. "We are thrilled with The American Legion's support, endorsement and now posting of our historical recordings of the French government ceremonies honoring veterans for those heroic days."
In April, about 100 people saw the film in Hollywood at the American Legion Post #43, Hollywood, CA. "It was well done, and the reproduction of the Normandy scenes were pretty darn powerful, and the overlays of graphics were very good," said Adj. Finance Officer Terry Duddy, American Legion Hollywood Post 43. "It was well received by our members attending here. We have posted a link for DVD sales, and five dollars goes to paralyzed veterans on each film sale on our website (http://tinyurl.com/mcnh9v).
[Editor's note: EPK DVD with extras like uniforms and weapons used are available upon request. For more information contact Aida Mayo or George Mc Quade, call 818-340-5300, or email: Publicity@mayocommunications.com or visit: www.mayocommunications.com.
At the epicenter of D-Day anniversary activities each year is the small town of Ste. Mere Eglise, made famous by the 1962 hit movie “The Longest Day.” Each year, even today, veterans, historians, tourists and re-enactors swarm to the Normandy town to see history come alive. Active-duty paratroopers jump from C-130s in the countryside surrounding the town. Parades, wreath-laying ceremonies and activities at the town’sAirborne Museum.
The town’s 65th anniversary celebration was captured by filmmaker Richard Lanni. Please be patient while the video loads.
U.S. troops landing on the beach during the Normandy invasion, 06 Jun 1944
Saturday is the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the day in 1944 when American, British, Canadian and other allied forces launched an air and sea assault on the coast of Normandy. British filmmakers have highlighted the stories of some aging veterans who took part in the crucial battle to free Europe from the Nazis.
One hundred sixty thousand Allied troops landed on the desolate stretch of coastline, which was heavily fortified by the Germans. More than 5,000 Allied ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the operation.
It was called D-Day, a military term for an unspecified target date. American Mort Schechter was a tail-gunner with the 467th bomb group, based in Rackheath, England, and he flew on D-Day.
"We flew the first mission about 3:30 in the morning," said Mort Schechter. "We bombed a port in France."
He says the skies were quiet.
"There was no flack and no fighters," he said. "The Germans must have been sleeping, and we were thankful for that."
He says the English Channel beneath his B-24 aircraft was like a busy highway.
"We were flying over the channel and I looked down and there were thousands and thousands of ships," said Schechter. "Like if you say cars were bumper to bumper, that was what the ships looked like."
(Above Photo: Mort Schecter, his son, film Director Richard D. Lanni, Terry Duddy, American Legion, and Grandson Ben (11 yrs.). Photo by George Mc Quade. Photos below by Mike Forster.
Another American, Jerry King, was on the ground at his U.S. base in England, helping to load planes with paratroopers and supplies.
"It was chaotic, believe me," said King. "There was a lot going on."
Off the Normandy coast, Earl W. Norwood was a 17-year-old sailor who operated a landing craft between the ships and Omaha Beach, one of the beaches where the Americans landed. There were 36 on board his landing craft.
"Around 7:30 in the morning, we were hit by a round that come into starboard side, proceeded to kill two soldiers and wound two very severely," said Norwood. "And here I'm just talking about it in about 15 or 20 seconds, maybe a minute, but it was a lifetime."
He kept heading for the beach. The soldiers disembarked and he took the dead and wounded to the hospital ship.
"I was driving the boat, and a lot of people think that was a great thing and so forth," he said. "But the real heroes that day were those 32 men that after they saw their comrades, the first four me on the boat cut in half or shot to pieces, two very severely and two dead, they still climbed over the bodies and did their job."
At least 9,000 Allied troops were killed or wounded in the invasion. German casualties are thought to have numbered between 4,000 and 9,000.
The costly D-Day battle would mark a turning point in the war, and would change the lives of survivors like Earl Norwood.
"That morning when I went in I was a 17-year-old kid," said Norwood. "I came out a 40-year-old man."
The story of the soldiers, sailors and airmen who landed in Normandy is told in a documentary by two British filmmakers. Ellwood von Siebold grew up fascinated with the Second World War. He turned his passion into a career when he moved to the French village of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first town that was liberated by the Americans in Europe. Today, he gives tours to visitors, including some aging D-Day veterans and their families.
He also hosts the video tour of historic D-Day sites in the documentary The Americans on D-Day, which he made with British producer and fellow Normandy resident Richard Lanni.
"The most important motivating thing for us was to perpetuate the memory of these great men who are sadly dying away before our very eyes," said von Siebold. "We wanted to make sure that their achievements will live on forever, and this is our small contribution towards doing that."
The bloody assault on the beaches of Normandy would change the course of the war, allowing the Allies to liberate occupied France and advance into Germany, as Soviet troops advanced against the Germans from the East.
screenings, employment information, veteran’s benefits information and legal assistance. The purpose of the event is to ensure service men and women, veterans and their families receive vital information on May 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ArcadiaCountyPark. There were skydivers, flyovers, a Wall of Remembrance for attendees to place photos, displays of military vehicles and equipment, food booths,live music, free immunizations, haircuts, manicures, health screenings. MAYO Communications booth gave free DVD's of the Movie American's on DDay at the event. www.theamericansondday. com battle tour films.
Remembering Our Veterans and Their Families – About 3,000 people attend the annual “Remembering Our Veterans and Their Families: Past, Present and Future” event sponsored by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and the County Department of Parks and Recreation. More than 120 agencies participate, offering immunizations, haircuts, manicures, health
Los Angeles, CA - MAYO Communications, a full service public relations agency, based in Los Angeles will participating in LA County Supervisor Michael Antonovich's 12th Annual event saluting veterans and their families in Arcadia this Saturday, May 23rd, at the Arcadia County Park, 405 S. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia, CA 91006.
It is entitled "Remembering Our Veterans & Their Families, Past, Present and Future." The event is expected to draw some 4-5,000 people and it is free and open to the public.
Look for MAYO Communications display, where we will be giving away each half hour the new battle tour film,
"The Americans on D-Day" produced by Director Richard D. Lanni, WW2 Reflections, Dublin, Ireland and was filmed on location in Normandy.
Tour Guide Ellwood von Seibold is the host of the 45 minute film and it features real interviews with survivors of the 81st Airborne and Veterans who risk their lives to liberate France.
Veteran Howard Manoian, of the 81st Airborne is featured in the film and was present for the Hollywood Premiere of The Americans on D-Day, last month at the American Legion Post #43. Also present was Morton (Morton) Schecter of Northridge, along with his son and grandson.
“When we flew over the English Channel, there were a million ships in the water, and I have yet to meet any of those guys who were on those ships,” said 85-year old retired U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Morton (Mort) Schecter, Northridge, CA, who flew as a United States Army Air Corps tail gunner in a B-24 Liberator warplane, the most produced U.S. military aircraft during World War II. He was assigned to the 467th Bomb Crew and 791st Bomb Squadron in England. “I’m lucky to still be here,” he said.
Schecter, who flew 35 missions out of England, is amongst the American Veteran heroes, who flew on D-Day June 6, 1941. Schecter and his son plan to attend the premiere showing of the new battle tour film The Americans on D-Day, Monday, 7:00 p.m. (Cocktails 6:00 - 7:00 pm), Cabaret Room, American Legion Post #43, 2035 N Highland Ave., Hollywood, CA., 90068.
“We were never shot down, but we did crash-land with six 1,000 pound bombs on board. We flew the first mission on D-Day and bombed at 3:30 in the morning, and it was the easiest mission, because we never saw any fighters or opposition. Then on June 8th, two days later, we went to Germany, we couldn’t drop our bombs due to a malfunction. When we aborted the mission, we returned, but the plane landed on its belly in the field after the landing gear struts broke. We landed with the bombs onboard, which did not go off. So I’m still here, he said.”
Schecter said he had an angel on his shoulder that day, and still has his list of the missions he flew. “Actor Jimmy Stewart was in our division, and he flew 28 missions. He entered the service as a buck private and when he died he was a General,” he said.
This is WW2-Reflections’ first tour film for its parent company, Labyrinth Media & Publishing Ltd. of Dublin, Ireland. Labyrinth specializes in WW II battlefield tour DVDS for the U.S. Market.
“We are thrilled to have the chance to recognize American Heroes of D-Day this year, on the 65th Anniversary of Normandy, and what better place to do it than at the historical American Legion Post 43 building," said Producer and Director Richard Lanni, WW2-Reflections on the night of the premiere.
"The Americans on D-Day" -- which is on sale Online now -- makes extensive use of smart graphics and veterans' recollections, as well as invaluable assistance from Dale Dye, a retired U.S. Marine captain who founded Warriors Inc., which specializes in training actors for war-themed film and television productions.
'The Americans on D-Day" provides an exciting insight into one of the most pivotal events of the 20th century," Dye said. "I'm really proud to have a hand in this effort to provide a foxhole-level view of what happened in Normandy on June 6, 1944.”I've seen a lot of tour videos that purport to give viewers an insight into what gallant Americans endured and accomplished on D-Day, but this one really hits the mark," Dye said.
The event is free and open to the public, and MAYO will be giving away 300 posters, autographed by Veteran Howard Manoian, who will be honored by the French Government on June 6, 2009 in Normandy. It is the 65th Anniversary of D-Day. Manoian was also in Hollywood for the USA premiere last month.
Film Director Richard D. Lanni who has agreed to film all European activities for the American Legion as his way of giving back to Veterans will be interviewing live with CBS/KNX Radio and WOR, New York during the ceremonies in Normandy.
Next week, the DVD goes on this week on the American Legion Post #43 homepage. $5.00 from every DVD sold will go toward Paralyzed Veterans of California through the American Legion. To order or buy your own copy of The Americans on D-DayVisit: www.TheAmericansonDDay.com or the American Legion Post #43 homepage http://www.hollywoodpost43.org.
Below are details to this Saturday's event. Please come by the MAYO Communications table for the
Special Tribute to Our Vets & Their Familes.
What:Remembering Our Veterans & Their Families Past, Present & Future
Michael D. Antonovich Invites you to the 12th Annual Veterans Event
Who:Michael D. Antonovich, LA CountySupervisor
Skydivers, Flyover by WWII Fighter Planes
A Special Tribute To Armed Forces
When: SATURDAY – May 23, 2009
10 AM- 3 PM
(11:30 AM) A Special Tribute To Armed Forces
Where: ARCADIACOUNTYPARK
405 S. Santa Anita Ave.Arcadia, CA
Background:
Remembering Our Veterans and Their Families Between 4,000 and 5,000 people attend the annual “Remembering Our Veterans and Their Families: Past, Present and Future” event sponsored by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and the County Department of Parks and Recreation. More than 120 agencies participate, offering immunizations, haircuts, manicures, health screenings, employment information, veteran’s benefits information and legal assistance.
The purpose of the event is to ensure service men and women, veterans and their families receive vital information regarding benefits, entitlements and services available to them.
The 2009 event will be held on May 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ArcadiaCountyPark. It will include skydivers, flyovers, a Wall of Remembrance for attendees to place photos, displays of military vehicles and equipment, food booths and entertainment. Photos on this page are from the 2007 event. There will be live music, free immunizations, haircuts, manicures, health screenings, employment info, Vets Benefit info, legal info.
MAYO Communications will be giving away the new battle tour film The Americans on D-Day (www.theamericansonDDay.com) each half hour. The Premier of the film was held at the American Legion Post #43 and is selling it Online. $5 goes to paralyzed veterans for every DVD sold at http://www.hollywoodpost43.org/v2.0/main.asp.
[For media interviews contact George Mc Quade 818-340-5300. For questions about the event call 626-967-1441 or 90-394-2264 and look for our table and display of WW2 Reflections - The Americans on D-Day (www.theamericansondday.com/)]
New York, NY - Director Richard D. Lanni, on the Joey Reynolds show, told a live audience that people in the southern states are more patriotic than the rest of the country. He talks about his media tour during an encore interview on WOR AM 710 in New York, before his return trip to Europe. Lanni is interviewing Veterans for his second film TBA. If you missed the interview click on the link below to hear the segment. Hear the Entire New York Interview
(l-r) Morton Schecter, son Glen, Producer Richard Lanni, Terry Duddy, The American Legion Post 43 and 9 year old Grandson Ben Schecter.
Also at The Americans on D-Day premiere Pin-up Calendar Girl Gina Elise talked about here benefit for all Veterans. Veteran 82nd Airborne Paratrooper awarded with highest French Honor
Veteran Normandy paratrooper Howard Manoian,who fought at the famous battle of The La Fiere Bridge, has been awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur. Howard, who was wounded three times during the Normandy campaign will be presented with his award during the 2009 D-Day celebrations in Ste Mere Eglise.
Howard and his son Chris who was also a member of the 5 05 P.I.R WW2-Reflections will be there to record the event on film.
Knights Cross winner dies at 89.
Alexander Uhlig a former member of the legendary Fallschirmjager Regiment 6 has died at the age of 89 at his home in Essen. WW2 Reflections visited Alex in September and spent several days filming him for our forthcoming production “A green devil”.
New York, NY / Los Angeles, CA, April 29, 2009 — Hollywood’s American Legion Post 43 rolled out the
red carpet this week for the stars of the world’s largest
production – a film on the invasion of Normandy, “The Americans On D-Day.” Just under100 people,
mostly veterans, gathered at the 80-year old building in Hollywood to see the debut of a first of its kind film,
now available on DVD Online (see details below).
Film Director Richard D. Lanni, who returns to New
York today (Wednesday) to appear on the Joey
Reynolds Show, WOR AM, New York,
(10:00 PM EST) told the Hollywood American
Legion audience, “I am honored to be here in
America to salute U.S. soldiers on this 65th anniversary and to show our film that captures
an accurate and powerful illustration of D-Day.”
“It’s great to see friends and veterans of the
world’s most intense and largest production,”
said Morton (Mort) Schecter, Northridge, CA, who brought his son, and nine-year old
grandson,
who led the mostly veteran attended
ceremony in the flag salute and pledge
of allegiance.
Photo: Morton (Mort) Schecter,
Glen Schecter (son) with 9-yr. old
grandson, Richard Lanni, film director,
and Terry Duddy, American Legion
post 43.
“When we flew over the English Channel,
there were a million ships in the water, and I
have yet to meet any of those guys who were
on those ships,” said 85-year old retired U.S.
Air Force Staff Sergeant Schecter, Northridge,
CA, who flew as a United States Army Air Corps
tail gunner in a B-24 Liberator warplane, the
most produced U.S. military aircraft during
World War II.
He was assigned to the 467th Bomb
Crew and 791st Bomb Squadron in England.
“I’m lucky to still be here, because and the
second day we had to abort our mission, and
ended up crash landing in a field with six
1,000 pound bombs onboard,” he said.
Schecter said he had an angel on his shoulder
that day, and still has his list of the missions
he flew.Schecter, who flew
35 missions out of England, is amongst the
American Veteran heroes attending the premiere.
He was assigned to the same division as Actor
Jimmy Stewart.“Actor Jimmy Stewart was in
our division, and he flew 28 missions. He entered
the service as a buck private and when he
died he was a General,” he said. “He used to
visit veterans hospitals and the American Legion
often.”
Also attending from Europe and the UK were
film star Ellwood von Seibold, who has spent
the last five years giving tours in Normandy.
"D-Day became a focus point of my interest
in life, and I decided to live a dream and move
to France and take people all around these areas,"
explained Seibold. "And the producer and director
of WW2-Reflections said 'why don't we
put one of your tours on film in Normandy'."
"The Americans On D-Day provides an exciting
insight into one of the most pivotal events
of the 20th century," said Captain Dye, was a
drilled sergeant in Vietnam and told the
crowd “I don’t need a microphone. I'm really
proud to have a hand in this effort and film
that provides a foxhole-level view of what
happened in Normandy on June 6, 1944."
"I've seen a lot of tour videos that purport to
give viewers an insight into what gallant
Americans endured and accomplished on
D-Day, but this one really hits the mark.
The Americans On D-Day provides a stirring,
GI-level look at one of the most momentous
battles of World War II," explained Dye.
Photo: Gina Elise, PIn Up For Vets & Captain
Dale Dye at film premiere in Hollywood, CA
After the viewing several veterans including surviving Normandy vets were speechless and had tears in their
eyes after seeing the film. “I lost a lot of friends and
would rather not talk about it," said one WW II Vet of
the 81st Airborne, as he exited the building.
"2,000 D-Day Soldiers are dying at an
alarming rate each month," Producer
Richard Lanni told WOR AM News Talk
Radio Host Joey Reynolds during his
first visit earlier this month. Tonight he
plans to share his tour of duty,
which included new veteran interviews,
museum visits and reactions from veterans
from New Orleans to Los Angeles wrapping
up his one month media and fact-finding tour
in America.
WOR's Historian Albert Wunsch, and Producer Myra
Chanin will join
Lanni to talk about the making of the film, which is a first of a series
on this 65th Anniversary year of D-Day in Normandy. The European
film premiere is set for May 7th, Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France and it is the film debut of the French language version of The Americans on D-Day.
It is WW2-Reflections’ first tour film for its parent company,
Labyrinth Media & Publishing Ltd. Of Dublin,Ireland.Labyrinth
specializes in WW II battlefield tour DVDS for the U.S. Market. The film is now on sale at the official website: www.TheAmericansOnDDay.com.
Other veterans attending the event were Earl Norwood and
Howard Manoian. Manoian will be honored by the French Government
in Normandy on June 6, 2009, the 65th anniversary of D-Day.
The Hollywood premiere also featured reenactment of WW II
soldiers and paratroopers from the National Historical Society and
Gina Elise, the Pin-Up For Vets nonprofit Calendar Girl. Elise,
nicknamed "The Betty Grable of a new generation" and
"The Calendar Angel" sold her T-Shirts and Calendars at American
Legion Hall to raise funds. Elise, who has donated $20,000 to aid
veteran hospital patients, has received numerous community awards
for her volunteer work.
“I want to raise $20,000 for veterans this year,” said Elise, who
has made countless personal visits to ill and injured veterans in
hospitals and facilities across the country.
She was featured on Fox News last January. [Editor's note: To obtain a media preview copy of The Americans
on D-Day or for media interviews in New York contact Aida Mayo or
George Mc Quade, call 818-340-5300, or email:
|Publicity@mayocommunications.comor
visit: www.TheAmericansOnDDay.com.
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