posted 07-12-2009 08:42 AM               

I want to thank the members of the collectSPACE community who came out to help celebrate this weekend including Scott Schneeweis, David Hitt, Jon and Melissa Meek, Fred and Jackie Karst, Mike and Jenny Jetzer and David Hewitt. It really made the whole experience more special to have you there.

Owen and Eve Garriott graciously joined my table for the dinner, and as always, it was a pleasure to be in their company. Hoot Gibson's remarks (which I will be able to soon share via a video I recorded) were very much appreciated, as were Jim Halsell's, who spoke on behalf of ATK, the title sponsor for the event.

I greatly enjoyed getting to know some of the past year's inductees and now that we are a sizable group, it sounds like we may begin to organize a foundation to help support Space Camp.

I was humbled to have been honored with the likes of Jim Allen and Jerry Gleason, both tremendously accomplished individuals whose passion for Space Camp and Aviation Challenge was clear throughout the evening.

Lastly (at least for now), the staff at Space Camp and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center were amazing. Everyone I saw and met, from CEO Larry Capps to curator Irene Willhite, Aerospace Vice President Mike Flachbart and media relations manager Al Whitaker, to the counselors and trainers who took us around during the tour... really everyone exemplified why Space Camp is an outstanding program.

As was suggested last night, we really need to organize a cS at SC (collectSPACE at Space Camp) week as I think all who come would have a truly memorable time.

quote:

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Originally posted by garymilgrom:
How about some photos from last night's event!

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posted 07-12-2009 10:15 AM               

The smile on your face says it all. We are all so proud of you and happy for you.

posted 07-13-2009 10:14 AM            

Friday's events started off with the ribbon cutting of the new The FORCE exhibit in the Davidson Center. I saw Robert running around, doing his journalist thing, so I left him alone until afterward.

Melissa and I had the pleasure of eating dinner with Mike and Jenny Jetzer that night (under the S-IVB!) and meeting Scott Schneeweis later in the evening. We also managed to catch Hoot Gibson for an autograph on our way out.

Mr. Meek, LCDR Scott Schneeweis, and MikeJ

My lovely and understanding wife, me, and Hoot Gibson - thanks to Jenny Jetzer for the picture.

The induction ceremony began around 4, with video retrospectives preceding each inductee's formal induction. Certainly, all three were very deserving of the honor. Robert shared a bit of his personal history in his acceptance speech, which I found very appropriate and genuinely moving. As he said, "The journalist in me wants to tell a story," and it was certainly a good one.

Dinner followed the induction ceremony. Robert was kind enough to be sure Melissa and I had seats at the table next to his. Joining us were Fred and Jackie Karst (GACSpaceGuy), Tom White (Space Camp's director of programming, if memory serves), and a few other Space Camp staffers. Having dinner under a Saturn V for the second night in a row is quite an experience.

It was a real pleasure to spend time talking with David Hitt and Robert after dinner. Unfortunately, Melissa and I had to get on the road back to Chattanooga earlier than I would've liked.

Tables set for dinner under SA-500-F/D

Me, Robert, and David in front of Apollo 16

So, thanks to Robert for inviting us, and thanks to the Jetzers for introducing us to folks at the reunion. I know Melissa shared my enjoyment, and we're glad to have made some new friends.

posted 07-13-2009 10:32 AM               

I'm still going through the photographs that I and others (mostly by my sister, who has become a total shutterbug) took, but here are a few to get started...

The outside entrance into the Space Camp Hall of Fame is located between the museum and Space Camp entrances facing the rocket garden.

Inside the Hall of Fame, there are displays for each year of inductees, with biographical videos (a planned kiosk will allow visitors to select which inductee's video they would like to watch) and memorabilia from the enshrinees.

In this photo, 2008 inductee Oscar Holderer and his wife are in front of the display that honors in part his accomplishments building many of the Space Camp simulators. In the background, 2007 inductees Amanda Stubblefield and Penny Pettigrew are with 2008 inductee Marlenn Maicki.

This display will show the 2009 inductees' videos and our memorabilia. I plan to provide Space Camp with the flight suit I wore in 1987, along with a photo of astronaut Larry DeLucas that he sent me following his STS-50 flight congratulating me on my Space Camp awards. I hope to find something that will represent collectSPACE as well.

posted 07-13-2009 10:47 AM               

The Hall of Fame also has along one of its walls plaques that picture and describe each of the inductees. Here, 2007 inaugural inductees Dan Oates, Penny Pettigrew, and Amanda Stubblefield stand with their plaque.

2009 inductees Jim Allan, Jerry Gleason and me!

An accomplished journalist, sought-after space history expert and respected appraiser of space memorabilia, Robert Pearlman was one of the first to recognize the Internet as a means of promoting space exploration. A six-time SPACE CAMP graduate that has successfully turned his passion into his profession, Pearlman has spent the past decade developing collectSPACE.com into the leading online publication, resource site, and community for space history enthusiasts. Prior to his current role as collectSPACE editor, Pearlman created and worked on numerous other websites, including the award-winning Ask An Astronaut. A board member and advisor to more foundations and boards dedicated to space than one might imagine even exist. Robert Pearlman possesses a rare combination of zeal, expertise and vision and continues to be an avid supporter and effective advocate of the space program.

posted 07-13-2009 10:54 AM               

Before the induction ceremony began on Saturday evening, we were photographed standing before Paul Calle's "Power To Go" mural in the Davidson Center for Space Exploration front hall.

Myself, U.S. Space & Rocket Center CEO Larry Capps, Jim Allan and Jerry Gleason.

Delivering my remarks during the ceremony...

Jim Allan and his wife were kind to bring wine they bottled in honor of the occasion with labels that Jim, Jerry and I signed. Two of the signed bottles were auctioned that evening to support the Space Camp scholarship fund.

posted 07-13-2009 10:59 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Meek:
Saturday, while Robert was busy crashing the Space Shuttle in the sims...

*Not his fault, apparently. Though, I can't say much, as I've never had the chance to crash it myself.

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posted 07-13-2009 11:43 AM               

A closer to shot to the earlier one posted of U.S. Space & Rocket Center CEO Larry Capps and space shuttle commander Hoot Gibson presenting me with a Space Camp Hall of Fame flag flown on STS-124.

Skylab and space shuttle astronaut Owen Garriott chats with his "Homesteading Space" co-author David Hitt during the induction dinner.

Hoot Gibson with me and my sister, Stacy, taken during a lunch with past and present inductees.

posted 07-14-2009 12:31 AM               

And then there's the wine! What a nice and thoughtful touch!

Here's to many more decades of cS! CLINK!

posted 07-14-2009 03:59 PM               

And a video taken of my acceptance speech...

posted 08-28-2009 02:29 PM               

I look forward to hearing about the space-related experiences you will encounter in the days and years still to come - ones that you cannot even imagine at this point...!

It's great to see how far your focused passion and hard work have taken you - and to see the benefit so many others have realized because of it.

High Regards...