posted 07-20-2005 11:19 PM               

Here are Haldeman's reflections prior to the launch of Apollo 11:

"Monday, July 14, 1969: Overall planning session for Apollo 11. President decided to do his TV from the White House Sunday night, instead of Houston or Cape. President plans to speak with Astronauts on the Moon – much better idea … it was Rose’s. Met with Borman. President excited about Sunday’s service – Borman will do scriptural reading - same as Moon. President cranked up about playing “Star Spangled Banner” when flag is placed on Moon. Borman opposed – astronauts will lose 3 minutes while at attention and possible adverse reaction to overnationalism. President is really intrigued about his participation in the whole thing...

Saturday, July 19, 1969: Teddy Kennedy’s escapade in Martha’s Vinyard."

Is anybody aware of other memoirs that include commentary about Apollo missions or other space programs written by White House or Congressional personnel?

posted 07-22-2005 12:05 AM               

Here's another facsinating excerpt from "The Haldeman Diaries..." published by The Publishing Mills Audio Books:

Sunday, July 20, 1969: Moon Landing Day. Fantastic! President to the Executive Office Building for solo work most of the day … a few conversations with president at EOB to go over details of telecast tonight. President came into the office at about 8:45 p.m. – went into the little office because the Oval Office was filled with TV gear and crew … discussion about the Teddy Kennedy matter … Then had Frank Borman in to describe what was happening as men were preparing to leave the Lunar Excursion Module. Borman, the President and I watched on the little TV in the little office when Neil Armstrong hit the surface. President clapped and shouted “hooray” – he’s very much excited by the whole thing – fascinated by watching the Moon walk, etc. – then into the Oval Office for TV – did a great job on the split screen with the Moon – wrote his own remarks instead of using the suggestions. All in all a great day and he was very elated as he left for the House. Julie, David and Tricia were waiting for him in the Rose Garden and walked him home…

posted 07-24-2005 10:04 PM               

"Thursday, July 24, 1969: This is the day the men came back from the Moon. Sleepless night on Arlington…Up at 4:00 for 4:40 a.m. departure from Arlington to Hornet. Beautiful on the flight deck: absolutely dark – millions of stars. Borman said that the sky looked more like the sky on the back side of the Moon than any he had ever seen on Earth. Helecopter left the deck and flew over ocean to the Hornet. Landed and went through quick briefing on decontamination and recovery plan. Watched on bridge for capsule to appear: it did – in spectacular fashion. We saw the fireball like a meteor with a tail rise from the horizon and arch in the sky, turning into a red ball and disappearing. Waited on bridge an hour or so until we saw helicopter over capsule and raft in the sea. Steamed toward them. Watched the pick-up – first through binoculars, then with naked eye. President exuberant – really cranked up – like a little kid – watched everything - soaked it all up…Pick-up helicopter landed on deck. President ordered band to play “Columbia, Gem of the Ocean”, as capsule was named “Columbia”. Presented gifts … down to the hanger deck for chat with astronauts in quarantine chamber. Great show: he was very excited – personal – perfect approach. Then prayer and “Star Spangled Banner”. Then ruffles and flourishes. Then “Hail to the Chief” and we left. … later flew to Guam: … gave press backgrounder at Officer’s Club. President’s remarks became known as the Nixon Doctrine (only supply arms and assistance to those nations that would supply their own manpower to defend themselves). Pretty historic and fascinating day."