New Hampshire educators skydive for a cause

CONCORD, NH — On Wednesday, teachers from throughout New Hampshire and New England joined Commissioner Frank Edelblut of the New Hampshire Department of Education about 12,500 feet in the air.

Led by the Golden Knights, known as the U.S. Army’s Parachute Team, Edelblut and a group of educators gathered at the Lawrence Municipal Airport in North Andover, Mass., where they embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity far from their office desks and classrooms.

Each participant was paired with a soldier from the Golden Knights who joined them for a tandem skydiving jump. The purpose of the Tandem Camp event, which spans three days, is to provide soldiers with an opportunity to demonstrate the positive aspects of teamwork, courage, discipline, training and excellence within the operational force.

“The U.S. Army provides students with a number of life-building opportunities, including numerous educational benefits like tuition assistance for postsecondary education, and leadership and career development opportunities, to name a few. It was an honor to be here today and skydive with some of our great soldiers who are committed to bettering their academic and career paths while serving as role models for our youth,” said Edelblut. 

To help promote recruitment efforts and bring awareness to the U.S. Army’s structure, discipline, leadership building and teamwork skills, several educators took the leap on Wednesday. In addition to Edelblut, the tandem jumpers included: Matthew Dee, an English teacher at Pembroke Academy; Molly McCrum, a French teacher for the Concord School District; Michael Nicolosi, a school resource officer for Oyster River Middle and High Schools; Christine Clark, administrative assistant at Oyster River High School; and Karyn Laird, administrative assistant for special education at Oyster River High School. In addition, Dan Morris, headmaster at Pembroke Academy, will take his flight on Thursday. 

Dee, who launched the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and Enlistment Club at Pembroke Academy, is also enlisted as an Army Reserve medic. Dee said Wednesday’s jump was a great way to learn more about the ongoing recruiting efforts so that he can share that information with students interested in pursuing a career in the U.S. Military.

“These events showcase the diversity of our U.S. soldiers, their skills, backgrounds and various careers. This is a great way for the community to experience, up close and personal, the professionalism of our soldiers while they are actually airborne,” said Alyssa Salmon with the New England Army Recruiting Battalion. “This is also a great way to build and strengthen our presence in the region.”