posted 09-28-2003 06:44 PM               

Are you SURE Cernan and Lovell were signing?

Just teasing. It is amazing to be in the company of these gentlemen - it still is to me no matter how many times I am.

Thanks for sharing!

posted 09-28-2003 09:40 PM               

Some of those guys are really funny. I just can not describe the collective history of the people in that banquet hall Saturday night. It is beyond my limited vocabulary.

Thanks to the few list members who shared the weekend with me.

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Warm Regards

Douglas Henry

posted 09-29-2003 03:22 PM               

Thanks Doug and Mike for all your hospitality.... WOW.

posted 09-29-2003 04:48 PM            

Indeed, an historic and incredible gathering that may never be repeated. Many astronauts there who were not officially on the roster (many as part of their new careers), such as Rick Hauck, Jon McBride, Scott Altman and Julie Payette.

It was great to see also, though this is almost Ground Zero of Bart-Sibrel-land, that no-one was bugging these guys as they kicked back and relaxed with their old cohorts - Schirra and Carpenter could sit at the bar without people butting in on their chat every couple of seconds, Buzz could relax and chat with people, Yeager could wander around freely... very nice to see. It meant that when people did respectfully and appropriately ask for them to sign something, they were on the whole happy to do so. Quite a difference from some events I have been to.. good job, guys.

posted 10-01-2003 03:22 PM               

Mike was gracious and picked me up from where I was staying and was my chauffeur on the way up, and Doug Henry did the same for us on the way back. You'll have to ask Mike why.

While waiting for the poolside reception to start Mike introduced me to his friend, General Cardenas. We made arrangements to see him at the reception. I then bumped in to Jim Lovell and Gene Cernan. Jim gladly signed a NASA glossy of him on the Moon, and even personalized it. Capt. Lovell called over and said to Gene, "Let's go, the session is starting ", and off they went. I ran into Wally Schirra who was being interviewed in the lobby, when it was over he said he had to go change, and to catch him at the reception.

There were many other test pilots around, so I was able to get Joe Cotton and Fitz Fulton among others.

Chuck Yeager was in the lobby and signed two photos for me. I had a rather in depth conversation with his new wife.

At the reception Gen. Cardenas and Bob Gilliland came over to our table and the General asked Quinn to save them some seats with us. Quinn is a nice guy to know.

I was talking to Gilliland, the SR-71 test pilot, and he said he wanted to verify a story with Bob Crippen that he had heard on STS-1. Less than two minutes later I see Crippen walking by, and I called him over to the table. He spent at least ten minutes chatting with both Bobs and us, and signed a few items. Throughout the course of the night many other distinguished aviators stopped by to chat with our table mates, who were just wonderful.

Someone, I think it was Doug Henry, said that Mike Collins was there, and had signed something. I wandered (ran screaming!! ) over and he was nice and signed a NASA glossy WSS.

Doug also had spotted Wally Schirra and Jim Lovell, so Quinn and I went over and Wally signed copies of We Seven for us. His was the second on mine, and I think completed the copy Quinn had, but you have to check with Mike.

A while later who do you think sits down at the next table, but Capt and Mrs. Lovell. He was kind enough to sign a NASA moonrise glossy already signed by Frank Borman. Mrs. Lovell mentioned that I would never be able to get Bill Anders to sign the piece. I told her that I was just happy to add her husband's name to the photo. A few minutes later Gene Cernan sat with them. Since he had signed for us in the lobby we left them alone.

Doug Henry spent some times discussing the Wright Flyer replica with Scott Crossfield. I spent some time embarrassing myself with the ladies.

All in all, a wonderful event.

Matt Scherzi

posted 10-01-2003 03:29 PM            

Sounds familiar... if it was an audiotaped interview, then that was me interviewing him.

posted 10-01-2003 04:29 PM               

Mike, Matt, the two Bobs and I are sitting just chatting about everything and nothing. I look over to the next table and the Lovells are doing the same with Gene Cernan about 5 feet away. About 20 feet to my right is Mike Collins sharing some time with some friends chatting. A variety of who's who in aviation walking by to the banquet line, or stopping by to say, "Hi," to the Bobs.

There were no crowds pushing to meet them and have things signed. Just everyone sharing the moment, relaxed, having a nice time under the stars. That image will stay in my memory forever.

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Warm Regards

Douglas Henry