By Lori EhdeIt’s the chance of a lifetime for conscientious scrapbookers and home movie buffs.Prestigious filmmaker Ken Burns wants to use Luverne’s memoirs of the Word War II era in an upcoming documentary, "The War."Luverne is one of four American cities and small towns highlighted in the film, which also includes Sacramento, Calif., Waterbury, Conn., and Mobile, Ala."The film will juxtapose and intertwine the experiences of servicemen who fought on the front lines in all theaters of the war with those of their families and neighbors back home," said associate producer Meghan Horvath."We will also track the larger military drama as it unfolds, so that we can comprehend the experiences of these ordinary people in a larger social and historical context."She said part of making the project a success will depend on help from the communities featured in the film. The production company needs information on personal experiences during WWII, both at home and in the military.Particularly helpful would be photographs and home movies of Luverne during the war years, as well as stories from veterans and those who were alive and lived in Luverne at the time."We’re trying to capture the town more than anything to set up the town of Luverne in the movie," Horvath said.Diaries, letters and interesting statistics about the town or those from the town who went off to war may help to set the stage for Luverne’s appearance in the film.Although the war years, 1941-45 are of particular interest, Horvath said she’s also looking for photos and movies depicting Luverne in the 1920s and 30s, because that’s when the WWII soldiers were children.Here’s how to help. If you think you have something of interest for the film, call Horvath at 212-560-9770, or send her an e-mail at meh.florentine@verizon.net.She’s coming to Luverne July 7, so if you have something she can use for the film, she needs to know by July 1, to schedule a time to review the material and discuss arrangements for sharing it with the film company.Horvath is already working with local historian Betty Mann and Luverne veteran Warren Herreid to connect with other local sources.She’ll also spend time in the Star Herald archives, searching bound issues and negative files.The film is set to air across the country in 2006.
