Ms. Gallagher's U.S. History class was so pleased to welcome junior Sydney Parson's grandfather Alan M. Ravitz (U.S. Army Retired) via Zoom to talk about his role in a hostage rescue attempt during Carter's Presidency.
The mission was named "Operation Eagle Claw." Mr. Ravitz was there because he had spent time in Iran and spoke Farsi. During the operation, three of eight helicopters failed, crippling the crucial airborne plans. The mission was then canceled at the staging area in Iran, but during the withdrawal one of the retreating helicopters collided with one of six C-130 transport planes, killing eight service members and injuring five.
"He was amazing, a fabulous story teller, and for the students to hear a first person account—the whole thing came alive for them," shared Ms. Gallagher.