“American Rifleman” Films at ABMC WWI Cemeteries and Memorials
World War I ended nearly 100 years ago. To help tell this piece of American history, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) has been welcoming television and film production crews to its cemeteries and memorials overseas in recent months. From brief segments to multi-part series, crews come to the sites to interview ABMC staff, and capture footage of these hallowed grounds and the nearby battlefields.
This summer ABMC welcomed a crew from “American Rifleman” which airs weekly on the Outdoor Channel, to multiple sites including Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, and Chateau-Thierry American Monument. With ABMC staff members heavily involved in the filming, Mark A. Keefe, IV, Editor-In Chief of “American Rifleman,” appreciated the insights provided by these individuals. “The knowledge, dedication and reverence of these ABMC staff members is impressive, and it resulted in the changing of our production schedule and some of our storylines for the better,” said Keefe.
Eight episodes will tell stories of individual Americans who served in France, as well as describing where they fought and the firearms they used nearly a century ago. To air in 2018, these episodes will coincide directly with the 100th anniversary of some of the major American battles and offensives of the Great War.
The show will highlight Americans who are buried overseas, including Cpl. Freddie Stowers of the 371st Infantry Regiment, whose courage and leadership resulted in him posthumously earning the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). Seventy three years after his death, his DSC was upgraded to a Medal of Honor by President George H.W. Bush.
Another American whose memory will be honored is Marine Gunner W.R. Cornell of the 6th Marines. Fighting in the Battle of Belleau Wood, Cornell used precision rifle fire against the Germans until he was killed on June 7, 1918.
“Most Americans will never have the opportunity to visit Freddie Stowers or W.R. Cornell , but it is our hope that these shows will honor the memory of those men, their service and their sacrifice, as well all of those Americans who served during World War I,” said Keefe.
About ABMC:
Established by Congress in 1923, the American Battle Monuments Commission commemorates the service, achievements, and sacrifice of U.S. armed forces. ABMC administers 26 overseas military cemeteries, and 29 memorials, monuments, and markers.