Students Consider Themselves “Lucky” To Be In The Presence Of A Hero
Written by Amanda Mathis in observance of the 80th anniversary of D-Day
Sitting in the presence of a 101-year-old military hero who actively participated in World War II is not your typical day in class. But, at Converse, it is part of the experience.
Dr. 爱德华Woodfin的 出国留学 class, “第二次世界大战在欧洲”, had the extraordinary opportunity to 访问 with Major John “Lucky” Luckadoo, one of the last living original B-17 bomber pilots from the 100th Bomb Group and featured in Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ most recent documentary, 血腥的百分之一他是“空中大师”系列节目的一部分.
The incredible student experience left an indelible mark on the class as Luckadoo shared a wealth of wisdom. This year’s class combined on-campus sessions and travel to specific, 具有历史意义的, European locations to allow students to dive deeper into serious subjects and focus on the raw side of WWII history.
“It’s something you never forget—being in the presence of a hero.”
Dr. 爱德华Woodfin
与少校的访问. Luckadoo connected students to the history of World War II more than any other point of the trip. “It was a privilege to be a part of the class,” graduate student 汤娅·阿方索，25岁. “To hear from someone who personally impacted the outcome of the war. 他的故事给了我们希望. Mr. Luckadoo 仍然是勇气的典范吗. It is one of the moments I will remember forever.”
Students were asked to submit questions in advance, and Luckadoo responded honestly. “For someone who had been through so much to re访问 such difficult moments and respond openly and honestly without hesitation was no small feat. It’s something you never forget—being in the presence of a hero,” Dr. Woodfin.
“Since he decided to sign up for the war as soon as possible, 幸运仔可以选择他喜欢的树枝,卡罗琳·布莱尔说, ’24. “And if he couldn’t serve in the United States, he planned to travel to Canada to fight.”
“Lucky gave everything for his country and has remained humble, and it was such an experience. How do you thank someone who gave us such a gift?阿方索说.
旅行是一种视觉体验, but an even more powerful moment is to engage with someone who was there and did not dodge a question. “Mr. Luckadoo discussed life during the war with its highest and darkest moments and intentionally connected with our students,” Woodfin.
“Luckadoo 所有这些 有故事要分享，”伍德芬说.” Now that we’re losing this generation, we value our time with them even more,” Woodfin. “He taught character in such a better way than any book or video could.”
“I recommend travel for every Converse student. Visiting these different historical sites allowed us to intentionally connect with their unvarnished history.”
汤娅·阿方索，25岁
It is easy to distance yourself from a war – especially one fought nearly 80 years ago. Meeting Lucky focused Woodfin’s students’ minds for the rest of the trip through Europe. They met someone who was there and who helped explain these historical moments in a way that truly connected with them.
“我坚持要读博士学位. Woodfin trip because he is my favorite teacher,” Blair. “我觉得这段历史很迷人. 当我决定报这门课的时候, 我意识到我不是去度假,” she said of the significance of this trip.
本学期晚些时候, 学生们继续在欧洲旅行, 参观101空降博物馆, 达豪集中营 , 诺曼底登陆日的奥马哈海滩, 以及丘吉尔的作战室, 举几个例子.
“I recommend travel for every Converse student,阿方索说. “Visiting these different historical sites allowed us to intentionally connect with their unvarnished history.”
Due to the complexity of planning the travel abroad element of the classes, Woodfin scheduled his trips every two to three years. The sessions dive deeply into serious subjects, with each trip focusing on different aspects of history as students complete a reflection journey throughout the class session.
“他的故事给了我们希望. Mr. Luckadoo is still an example, just waiting to be followed,” Blair.