“Cal and the Leap into History”
When Cal walked into Mr. Delaney’s classroom that Friday morning, he noticed something new on the whiteboard:
“August 16 — National Airborne Day: Celebrating the U.S. Army Paratroopers”
“Paratroopers?” Cal asked. “Like… soldiers who jump out of planes?”
“Exactly,” Mr. Delaney said with a grin. “And today, we’re going to jump into a piece of history.”
Lena raised an eyebrow. “You’re not seriously making us jump out of anything, right?”
Everyone laughed, including Mr. Delaney. “No planes involved. But we are going to learn about one of the boldest ideas in military history—creating a fighting force that literally falls from the sky.”
He handed out a few photos—black-and-white images of soldiers in bulky gear, parachutes blooming behind them. “These are the first U.S. paratroopers, trained back in 1940. They were part of the 82nd Airborne Division, and they helped turn the tide in World War II.”
“Wait, people actually thought it was a good idea to jump out of planes in the middle of a war?” Sam asked.
“It was dangerous,” Mr. Delaney admitted, “but it was also genius. Paratroopers could land behind enemy lines, surprise the other side, and take key positions before the main army even arrived.”
Jordan leaned forward. “Sounds like something out of a movie.”
“It’s real,” Mr. Delaney said. “They jumped into Normandy on D-Day. They rescued hostages in the Philippines. And they still serve today—in places all over the world.”
Cal stared at the photo in his hand. The soldiers looked serious—focused, determined. “They must’ve had nerves of steel.”
“They also had each other,” said Mr. Delaney. “One thing you’ll hear from anyone in the Airborne is how much they rely on teamwork. When you’re dropping from the sky, your life depends on the person next to you.”
The class was quiet for a moment.
Then Mr. Delaney passed out a short reading and a challenge. “Your task: design a mission patch for a fictional airborne unit. Think about what makes them unique—what their values or goals would be. What kind of symbol would represent their courage and teamwork?”
As Cal sketched his idea—a pair of wings over a mountain, with the words “Swift and Steady”—he thought about what it would be like to trust someone that much. To leap, knowing they’d have your back.
Maybe he’d never be a paratrooper. But he liked the idea of that kind of courage.
And maybe that was what National Airborne Day was really about—remembering the people who had the guts to leap first.
💬 Discussion Questions:
- What qualities do you think make a good paratrooper?
- Would you be willing to take a big risk for something you believed in?
- How does teamwork play a role in dangerous or challenging situations?
✏️ Extension Activity:
- Design a Mission Patch
Create a symbol for an airborne unit—real or fictional. Include a motto and explain what it represents. - Write a Journal Entry
Imagine you’re a paratrooper jumping into Normandy on D-Day. Describe how it feels, what you see, and what you hope to accomplish.