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Author
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Topic: Wally Schirra's New York Ticker Tape parade
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dfox
Member Posts: 208
From: Scarsdale, NY, United States
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 09-11-2010 09:03 AM
   
On Friday, I was reflecting with my mother on my recent trip with my kids to Space Camp.She told me an interesting story that her uncle, who was a New York City Fireman, drove the parade care that Wally Schirra rode in during a ticker-tape parade in New York City. I have been trying to figure out which of Schirra's mssions was followed by a ticker-tape parade. Wikipedia does not report such a parade for Schirra. Does anyone know other wise? |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 09-11-2010 09:15 AM
I just did the kind of online searching you probably already did, and the only mention of a ticker-tape parade for Schirra was a brief note in his obituary in a British newspaper. Not a really solid source. Could it have been another astronaut? I found mentions of ticker-tape parades for Glenn, Carpenter, Cooper, and the crews of Gemini 3, Apollo 8, and Apollo 11.(Schirra, a native of Hackensack, was given at least two parades in New Jersey. Could your great-uncle have traveled across the Hudson?) |
NJSPACEFAN
Member Posts: 128
From: Ocala, FL USA
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 09-11-2010 09:33 AM
Steve Smith's list is the comprehensive list of the NYC ticker tape parades for the astronauts. MOST likely, Schirra was driven in a follow up car to either the Glenn, Carpenter or Cooper parades. The parades usually have several cars of related distinguished guests in them followed by bands etc. |
dfox
Member Posts: 208
From: Scarsdale, NY, United States
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 09-11-2010 10:42 AM
Thanks for the responses. Upon further inquiry I have some additional information from my mom: I am pretty sure it was Schirra - I remember the astronauts were picked up at the airport (either La Guardia or Kennedy) (according to my uncle) and my Uncle saying that he drove Schirra into Manhattan in a motorcade. My Uncle drove the Chief of the New York fire department for a number of years after receiving an injury. I do not think it was a ticker tape parade but rather a way of getting the astronauts into Manhattan via a motorcade from the airport - either Kennedy or I think LA Guardia. Uncle Milton was one of the drivers for the Chief of the NYC fire department. Not sure if this clarifies or confuses the matter! | |
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