An educational program using That’s All, Brother as a “flying classroom”

That’s All, Brother will be used for an immersive experience centered on the actions of the Paratroopers on D-Day will serve to reinforce essential life skills learned at school.

As students exit the bus they are greeted by costumed interpreters- members of the 101st Airborne on the eve of the invasion.

The students are lined up, and brought to attention and brought into the D-Day narrative in the first person.

Adhesive patches are distributed to all of the students, marking them as members of the 101st Airborne Division, “The Screaming Eagles.”

The students will receive dog tags printed with key principles which relate to the overcoming of obstacles in one’s own life.

As the students puts on the dog tag, these core principles are explained. While applicable in their own lives, these principles were also key aspects of a paratrooper’s spirit.

As the students are brought to the rear of the aircraft, they are briefed on their mission in Normandy, derived from the actual mission of the 2/502nd.

In anticipation of boarding the aircraft, the Students are shown how to darken their faces, as was done on June 5, 1944.

The students are instructed to don their parachutes, and prepare for departure.

As the students board the aircraft, they are ushered in to an aircraft cabin which is visually identical to That’s All, Brother’s cabin on D-Day

On board the aircraft, students are helped into their seats by the jump master, and are buckled in.

The tail of the aircraft is lifted to simulate take-off and flight, while an audio/visual presentation inside the aircraft transports students back in time.

As flak erupts around the aircraft over Normandy the Students notice the Jump signal illuminate.

The jump master instructs the students to stand up, and hook up – actually clipping their “parachutes” to the static line system in the aircraft.

The students are instructed to check one another in anticipation of the jump light turning green

As it turns green the excitement inside the aircraft reaches a crescendo and the Students are ushered to the door.

As students exit the aircraftthey are passing through the very same door the original paratroopers would have.

They are greeted with confusion- they have landed outside their drop zone!

It is explained that through collaboration, communication and determination they can still accomplish their mission.

The students must work together in order to transport vital supplies to the drop zone, facing obstacles, such as rivers, in their path.

These obstacles are team building activities designed to, encourage the students to be confident, flexible and adaptable.

Having accomplished a river crossing, the students encounter an airborne supply cart which must be reassembled through team work.

Once the cart is completed it can be used to transport the supplies to the next activity.

The cart must now be coaxed through a “minefield.” One team is pulling the cart, the others are trying to communicate the safest path.

Because the team pulling the cart has been blindfolded, the emphasis of this activity is on trust, and effective communication.

Because the “Minefield” task cannot be completed without collaboration, it serves to further develop this skill.

When they reach the other side of the “minefield” their mission has been completed!.

www.ThatsAllBrother.org