posted 05-03-2004 09:24 PM               

I should add to that a great thanks to the astronauts, their spouses and families, who were very gracious with their time and continue to serve as great role models for us all: Scott and Patty Carpenter, Gordo and Suzy Cooper, Wally Schirra, John and Annie Glenn, Jim Lovell, Al Worden, Ed Mitchell, Charlie Duke, Walt and Dot Cunningham, Rick Hauck, Dan Brandenstein, Owen and Eve Garriott, Barbara and Clay Morgan, John and Suzy Young, Bob and Pandora Crippen, Joe Engle, Vance Brand, Hoot Gibson, Bob Springer, Mike Coats, Loren Shriver, Steve Oswald, Don Williams, Charlie Walker, Laura Shepard, Bobbie Slayton, Fred Gregory and his family, Dick Covey, Kathy Sullivan and her family, Norm Thagard (and his adorable granddaughter), and June Scobee Rodgers.

I would encourage those who attended to chime in with your favorites memories. Here are just a few of mine:

- The tribute delivered to Dick Scobee by both Norm Thagard and June Scobee Rodgers during the induction ceremony was very touching. When she pointed out that many remember and honored how Dick died but was thankful that the Hall celebrated how he lived, I could do nothing to stop a tear from forming. Its these type of moments that remind us all that astronauts are truly heroes. I also enjoyed listening to Crip tell stories about Norm, Dan Brandenstein about Fred Gregory, John Glenn about Kathy Sullivan, and Joe Engle about Covey.

- The reception prior to the ASF's gala was both relaxed and rewarding. Everyone was in good spirits and there were some great guys -- in addition to the astronauts -- to meet. I always enjoy placing faces with the names I see on the computer screen and I met quite a few cS readers for the first time. Catching up with Guenter Wendt is always and was a special treat. And though I will forget his name (please forgive me if you are reading), I had a wonderful conversation with one of the dedicated individuals who not only worked to repair Hubble but continued to work on its servicing for the past 20 years.

- The gala itself was also relaxed and memorable. Though we all had assigned seats (mine with Bill and Vicki O'Donnell, Gerry Matulka and his wife, Karl Ronstrom and his wife (Karl provided the great photographs you see in the following replies), and Hoot Gibson), everyone was free to wander the floor and meet everyone else. I particularly enjoyed hearing Roger McGuinn perform, including "Turn, Turn, Turn" -- though I am too young to have been around when it was first released, I grew up listening to my parents play the Byrds on our stereo and to hear it in-person brought back fond memories of my not-so-distant childhood.

There are certainly more experiences I could describe (like sitting with Charlie Walker during the induction or getting to know some astronauts I had not met before, like Bob Springer) but I would enjoy greatly to hear from others. What were your favorite experiences?

posted 05-03-2004 09:24 PM               

- Before the VIP reception on Friday night, the astronauts made an unannounced (except to media) stop to tour the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Here we see John Young and Jim Lovell obviously enjoying the opportunity to peak inside a Gemini Trainer:

- The 2004 class of inductees posing at the Astronaut Hall of Fame, from left to right: Frederick Gregory, Richard Covey, June Scobee Rodgers, Kathryn Sullivan and Norman Thagard.

posted 05-03-2004 09:25 PM               

- An amazing assembly of Hall of Fame astronauts, from top left to bottom right (spanning both photographs): on stage - Master of Ceremonies Andrew Chaikin, Norman Thagard, June Scobee Rodgers, Kathryn Sullivan, Fred Gregory, Dick Covey, Jim Lovell, John Young, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra, Gordo Cooper, Walt Cunningham, Ed Mitchell, Al Worden, Rick Hauck, Hoot Gibson, Owen Garriott, Vance Brand, Bob Crippen, Joe Engle and Dan Brandenstein:

posted 05-03-2004 09:26 PM               

And posing, post-induction:

posted 05-03-2004 10:20 PM               

--John

posted 05-04-2004 06:01 AM               

Robert thankyou so much for posting your experience and photographs. i am so jealous. It looked to be an amazing day. Maybe next year.

posted 05-04-2004 09:57 AM               

Quite a summation and between you and the other Rob nothing I can add other than it was a pleasure, as always to see the "usual suspects" and the new folks.

And Rob P., how'd Karl the photographer get in the top photo? <LOL>

Cheers,

posted 05-04-2004 10:39 AM               

I had a fantastic time this weekend, both Thursday night and Saturday at the induction.

At "A Night with the Astronauts," I had the pleasure of meeting and receiving autographs from Scott Kelly and Dave Wolf, and hearing them and Schirra, Lovell and Worden speak. Schirra has a good sense of humor, as does Wolf. I enjoyed Wolf's presentation most, and he brought a video of his missions with him to present, which was amusing in itself!

But I think the highlight of that night was talking with Jim Kennedy (KSC director) and Lisa Malone (PAO and countdown commentator) for about fifteen minutes. Kennedy is quite a character, joking with everyone. And both of them were happy to sign a shuttle picture as well.

Saturday I spent the day at KSC with my girlfriend Alesha; it was only her second time to KSC and she hadn't seen much the first time. I skipped the astronaut brunch even though I had tickets for it, and just walked around the VC and viewed Space Station 3D before the induction ceremony. We were going to take the bus tour, but there were problems at the LC-39 gantry and the tours were delayed half an hour, so we left the bus.

Met Brian Duffy at his signing, and then, thanks to Rob and a couple of other members, got to meet Charlie Walker for a minute outside his office before the Astronaut Encounter. Duffy nearly botched the autograph he was signing by putting the wrong name on, but fixed it and apologized.

I began a new project Saturday with this encounter: I recently printed a large 20x24 inch glossy photo of Florida from ST-95, which I hope to get signed by as many space explorers as possible. I think I am going to stick to this rather than getting 8x10s signed each time:
http://www.geocities.com/ovcolumbia/Autographs.html

Duffy is the first signee of the print, autographing off Cape Canaveral. Walker added his right above Duffy's.

All the autographs (the photos used at least) from this weekend can be viewed at that link, although I haven't had a chance to scan the actual autographs in yet.

The induction ceremony was great. It was nice to have it in the Saturn V center, albeit the inductees were all shuttle astronauts. I enjoyed the speeches, especially Covey and Scobee as was mentioned. Unfortunately all the attendees were rushed out too quickly to have a chance to meet them. But four astronauts and two top KSC officials made my weekend!

Enjoyed meeting a few of the CS and yahoo list members, inculding Rob, and, if I have this right, Bryan McKay, Bob McLeod, Garry Laing, Al. Sorry if I left anyone out; I met a few people there who I know are CS or list members, without even asking their names when I did.

posted 05-11-2004 11:48 PM               

Garry's top 10 (not in any particular order)

1. Speaking with Barbara Morgan and her very supporting husband at the banquet on Friday night. . . a teacher to teacher talk. . . both the Morgans were awesome (this was my top activity of the weekend)

2. Getting my photo taken individually with Al Worden, John Young, and Wally Schirra.

3. Having fun by having a five year old enthusiast ask Gordon Cooper, "Who'se the greatest pilot you ever saw?"

4. Meeting up with fellow CollectSpace and Yahoo Astronaut group friends which included Ben, Rob, Robert, Al2, Mike, Tom T, Bob G 007, Dana.

5. Encouraging fellow CollectSpace readers to become contributers and not just lurkers. I enjoy the diversity of thought, comments, and questions on CS and AL2's websites.

6. Being able to drive roundtrip from Maryland for $114.87 and to use my gas usage for a lesson in my math class.

7. Enjoyed my visit to KSC and AHOF again. I like seeing the childhood mementos of the astronauts.

8. Performance by Roger McGuinn after dinner at the Banquet.

9. Getting Gordon Cooper, Wally Schirra, and Scott Carpenter to autograph a Mercury 7 cover previously signed by Alan Shepard. This cover will be a memorable keepsake for me forever.

10. Enjoying the interaction at the banquet of Wally Schirra with a young space enthusiast who briefly stumped me with Cedna--my mind was thinking Crisco and then Splenda before connecting with the newly discovered solar orbiting body Cedna. . . and the sincerety and warmth Scott Carpenter spoke with at the booksigning to the youngsters.

Mark your calendars for the first weekend in May 2005 for the next induction.