posted 05-17-2005 08:21 PM               

As many of you know I am a volunteer with the Young Astronaut Program. Each year the Young Astronaut Club (YAC) at my school hosts our contribution to Space Day. Since we are a Catholic school our event starts with a memorial Mass in church where we remember every astronaut/cosmonaut who died in the line of duty. We always have a guess speaker from NASA and hopefully due to my contribution to Expedition 11 next years guest will be John Phillips.
Following Mass and our guests remarks, we proceed to our schools courtyard where we lay a wreath. After anb intermission so the youngest students can have a snack. The day becomes a celebration of space exploration. There are exhibits, presentations from NASA and contractor personnel. (Luckily for us many of our students parents work at KSC).
Our motto is: "Celebrate the Past - Honor the Fallen - Inspire the Future".

The reason for my posting this is to invite cS'rs who are reasonably close to Florida to attend. On the Friday the audience is mainly the students and families of our school. But we have a star party Friday night and a full schedule again on Saturday which is open to the public. Are there any of you who would like to exhibit, or present, or attend.

We try to build on our success each year and I really want to "knock the kids socks off". I call it the "wow" factor. When they enter the gym I want them to be impressed. So if you want to attend, participate, etc or know of an exhibit or presentor that can impress and inspire please let me know. For now reply to this thread and I'll be contacting you over the next few months to make arrangements.

Thanks for your consideration.

posted 05-17-2005 08:39 PM               

As soon as I posted the above I did a very convincing Homer Simpson "D'oh!". I hadn't given you the date. Friday and Saturday February 3 & 4, 2006. We do this because we want our rememberance of our fallen to be a positive celebration of their lives and what they wanted to accomplish. Not just a somber observance of their tragic deaths. We hope they would be happy with that decision.

posted 05-18-2005 12:42 PM              

Since I am a Cub Scout Den Leader and a member of the Challenger Learning Center of Oklahoma City team, I can set up something both fun and informative that all the kids will get something out of.

Although it is quite a ways away, it's still reasonably close for me. Can be there on time and ready when needed.

Brian
Yukon, Oklahoma

posted 05-18-2005 04:53 PM               

I'd love to get together with you and capejeffs. I'll send you an email offlinbe and maybe we can all meet for breakfast or something.

Hey Brian-
Thanks for the support. We'll stay in touch and firm up plans when it gets closer.
Maybe we can have a cS gathering on Saturday.

posted 05-23-2005 01:30 PM              

I ran this idea past my other half and she thinks it's a pretty good one. It fits in not only with what I do for Challenger but also for scouts. The Cub Scout theme of the month for February 2006 happens to be "Cubs In The Future", so it fits in nicely...

Brian

posted 05-25-2005 07:38 PM               

Thank you for your support. I look forward to going over the details with you.

How about it Florida "cS rs" if Brian can travel from Oklahoma do I have any interest in the Sunshine State?

posted 05-30-2005 07:28 PM               

You might want to come in on Thursday, February 2nd. We start at 8:30am with Mass, guest speakers and wreath laying. Then Space Xpo starts around 10 - 10:30am and runs to 3pm.
Just a thought.

posted 05-30-2005 07:32 PM               

------------------
John Macco
Vice President
Space Unit
Shady Side, Md.

posted 05-31-2005 05:36 PM               

Yes I would. The program on Friday is for the students of the school. That's why the Friday evening star party and schedule on Saturday is open to the public.