Last week, Tate’s School fifth graders took a deep dive into World War II history with a hands-on learning experience led by Jeff Swanson and The Five Oh First Group (TFOFG). Swanson, who founded TFOFG two decades ago, and his team of WWII re-enactors visited the campus to bring history to life for students.
Dressed in authentic WWII uniforms, the group set up interactive stations showcasing different aspects of a soldier’s life. Students had the opportunity to try on helmets and parachutes used by paratroopers and explore wartime equipment, including German and American rifles (without live ammunition), demolition boxes, ammunition belts, and communication devices like walkie-talkies and field phones.
“World War II was a defining time in our nation’s history. Getting to tell these stories in front of young people is a hands-on way to help them understand the hardships during that era,” said Swanson.
Tate’s School Principal Kaye Simmons emphasized the impact of the experience, saying, “When students can experience a historically accurate soldier’s story and can see and touch the soldiers’ field gear, history comes to life for them.”
