Topic: College of Communication Information and Media
August 1, 2007
One of the most celebrated American units of World War II, the 1st Infantry Division, aka the Big Red One, will take center-stage during "Echoes of War: Stories from the Big Red One," during a live 60-minute interactive educational program produced by Ball State and
WIPB-TV on Sept. 27.
The program will look at the struggles, misery and survival of the 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, told through the eyes of World War II veterans who witnessed the conflicts firsthand.
This digital media experience will include an introduction and close by Ken Burns, producer and director of numerous award-winning PBS documentaries, and will air on the heels of the Sept. 23 PBS debut of "The War," Burns' latest historical documentary detailing veterans' experiences in World War II.
According to Lori Georgi, educational outreach manager for WIBP-TV, "Echoes of War" will broadcast live from the First Division Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton, Ill., at 1 p.m. EDT and 8 p.m. EDT, and she is hopeful that schools and other PBS stations across the country will take advantage of this unique history lesson.
"We're offering up this live interactive broadcast to schools and other PBS stations at no cost in order to give as many people as possible the chance to learn about and appreciate all of the sacrifices and experiences the 1st Infantry Division endured," Georgi said. "Registered schools will also be able to access lesson plans, student activities and other resources online that will coincide with the live program, making this a truly virtual classroom experience."
During the broadcast, viewers will have the opportunity to interact with war veterans, Ball State historians and Cantigny museum curators by phone or via the show's companion Web site, www.bsu.edu/echoesofwar.
In addition to its role in World War II, the Big Red One division pioneered the way for American troops in World War I. It also was heavily involved in the Vietnam War and the both Iraq wars.