posted 09-15-2004 07:44 AM               

Bill Shepherd, who considers Babylon, Long Island to be his hometown, was Commander of “Expedition One” and had previously flown onboard three Space Shuttle missions as Mission Specialist (see www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/shepherd.html.)

FFLIH is a not-for-profit citizens group that, for the last forty years has supported the development, growth and operation of nearly two dozen museums, historic sites and preserves in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. They formulated a vision in 1975 to provide citizen support for the creation of a “world class” air and space museum at the “cradle of aviation” and to note the contributions of Curtiss, Sikorsky, deSeversky (founder of Republic Aircraft), Sperry, Grumman and other locals. Through their efforts, over eight million dollars was raised for the acquisition, restoration and installation of the collection, and now, they operate the Museum Store and provide on-going citizen support for the Museum’s programs (see www.fflih.org/about/overview-faq.cfm.)

I spoke with a Cradle of Aviation Museum employee who told me that information will soon be posted on its website about the Lecture Series and this event (see www.cradleofaviation.org.)

Last October, Astronaut Fred Haise presented the inaugural lecture of the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s lecture series.

RGW