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Documentary captures
Normandy Invasion in the words of World War II veterans
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 /U.S.
Newswire/ -- Yesterday, the members of the Selected Independent
Funeral Homes joined forces with film producer Larry Cappetto to
honor the remembrances of World War II veterans during a
presentation of Capetto's documentary, 'Lest They Be Forgotten,
Volume One: Omaha Beach'.
The documentary was presented
yesterday, September 6 during a luncheon at the National Press Club
which boasted attendance from a number of veteran's organizations,
including: Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Association for
Black Veterans, The Retired Enlisted Association, Women in Military
Service for America Memorial Foundation, and The Spectrum Group.
In a letter submitted in his
absence, Senator Richard Burr (R- NC) stated, "In this time of war,
all Americans are aware of the freedom that those that carried the
American flag into battle earned for us. We understand the
importance of honoring the sacrifices of those currently serving in
the Armed Forces, those who have fallen, and of our Veterans."
Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) echoed
Burr's sentiments in a pre- prepared statement that was read on his
behalf, "I once described myself as the most optimistic man in
America. Life has taught me to put my faith in the uncounted
millions who may never run for office, pass a bill, or craft a sound
bite, but who fight our wars and embody the ideals worth fighting
for. My contemporaries have been called the greatest generation.
It's not a title we bestowed on ourselves, any more than we asked
for the hand that history dealt us in our youth. Now I belong to a
disappearing generation, perhaps five million in all, forever bonded
by the tests we faced so long ago."
Cappetto's group, "Lest They Be
Forgotten," has produced several unique documentaries that capture
the memories of today's World War II veterans in their words. The
effort is being supported by the Selected Independent Funeral Homes,
the world's largest, oldest, and most prestigious group of
independent funeral service providers.
"The members of Selected
Independent Funeral Homes view this alliance with Larry Cappetto as
an opportunity to publicly acknowledge, on local and national
levels, the many contributions and sacrifices of the WWII veterans,
and to instill in people everywhere the pride and gratitude that the
veterans truly deserve," Clarke added.
"We believe Mr. Cappetto's work is
a unique and limited opportunity to compile the stories of these
great American veterans, and to communicate to subsequent
generations the first- hand accounts of their service to our
country," said George Clarke, executive director of the Selected
Independent Funeral Home Association.
According to Cappetto, "I named
this series 'Lest They Be Forgotten' because this generation of
veterans sacrificed so much, but asked so little."
"What has been missing," said
Cappetto "is to hear the story of their patriotism, sacrifice, and
love of country in their own words." "I purposefully sought to
document and honor their remembrances and memories without editorial
comment," added Cappetto.
"The members of Selected
Independent Funeral Homes are dedicated to honoring and preserving
the memories of those who have gone before us," said Clarke.
"Working with Mr. Cappetto and participating in the distribution of
the 'Lest They Be Forgotten" documentary series is a natural
extension of that work."
The Cappetto documentaries have
already been shown in several cities across the country and are now
being made available through members of the Selected Independent
Funeral Homes.
Cappetto's work includes two
documentaries on the battle of Omaha Beach and one on the battle of
Iwo Jima. Background and clips of the work can be seen on the site
dedicated to Cappetto's work,
http://www.veteranshistory.org.
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