Sanfordville dads, veterans visit students for intersting military history lesson

Two veterans -- and PIE parents -- recently visited with students in the Sanfordville Elementary School PIE 3/4 classes. They gave a joint presentation on the lasting impacts of the Revolutionary War on today's military, comparing and contrasting the armed forces of the past with today's modern military.

The presenters were Air Force veteran Krystopher Schwandt, a C5 loadmaster, and Army veteran William Sweet, an Abrams tank platoon leader. The two men brought with them helmets, uniforms, binoculars, and other equipment from their years of service. Their visit came just as the students were preparing to begin independent research projects about the Revolutionary War. The students have been reading articles and books on military subjects, including uniforms, weapons, and the techniques that soldiers, then and now, used on the battlefield.

"This presentation was intended to ground the students with a physical experience that they can compare to their research," PIE teacher Veronica DeGuisto said. "When we learn about the Revolutionary War, for the students, everything's so old and so distant; this kind of brings it into today."

The veterans talked about many differences between the armed forces during the Revolutionary War and today. Besides uniforms and weapons, they also shared details about the kinds of food soldiers eat, how supply chains work, types of transportation, and communications. Every comparison gave the students a new and valuable perspective. For example, Mr. Schwandt pointed out that the C-17 cargo planes he flew on can deliver troops or equipment (even helicopters and tanks) anywhere in the world within 48 hours.

"Now compare that," he said, "to trips from New York to Boston, which would take weeks on horseback during the Revolutionary War!"

Along with tanks and planes, the two men discussed advances in soldiers' personal weaponry. Mr. Sweet noted that Revolutionary War soldiers typically carried about 30 rounds for their smoothbore muskets; modern soldiers can carry up to 300 rounds for a carbine.

After some Q&A, the students got to check out the gear the veterans brought and even try some of it on.

"These are your friends' parents who are still carrying on this legacy to protect the same freedoms that soldiers fought for during the Revolutionary War," Ms. DeGuisto pointed out. "It might have been a long time ago that the Revolutionary soldiers fought for our freedom, but many people -- some are your family members, your neighbors -- are out there today still protecting our country."

Ms. DeGuisto and the PIE students thank Mr. Schwandt and Mr. Sweet for visiting and sharing their knowledge. Thank you also for your service.