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Author
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Topic: It's been a long way...
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mensax
Member Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-16-2003 05:16 PM
   
When Alan Shepard spoke his first line on the surface of the moon "It's been a long way, but... we're here."Who is "we"? I've heard different interpretations... Al Shepard and Deke Slayton?
Al Spepard and Ed Mitchell?
The Mercury Seven represented by Al Shepard? Anybody know the official definition of "we"? Noah |
BLACKARROW
unregistered
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posted 07-16-2003 05:31 PM
Noah,
According to the Shepard/Slayton book, "Moon Shot" (Chapter 22, page 307)Shepard's words "...sounded a clear message to the handful of folks who believed in him...In his mind's eye he saw, and shared, this moment with three people above all others. Deke Slayton, always there to back him up, to provide a granite wall of support. His wife Louise, who knew this moment must come to pass. Bob Gilruth - from day one of Project mercury he had held Alan above all others as the man to lead the way...."The book takes a few liberties along the way (not least in the account of the landing) but I don't see why we can't accept the account of who Shepard meant by "we." |
Voskhod
Member Posts: 72
From: Oxfordshire, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-17-2003 05:59 AM
Hi Geoffrey,'BLACKARROW', we met at autographica way back in May. Been trying to contact you off list but not sure if I'm using the correct email.
All the best
Oliver
orowley.rmcs@da.mod.uk |
Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 07-17-2003 06:09 AM
I think the Shepard 'we' was in keeping with the attiude he had taken regarding the mission, about it being a team effort and he was going there on behalf of the many.
If you recall the mission emblem contained the astronaut pin design symbolic of the whole team travelling as one.Steve |
mensax
Member Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-17-2003 04:58 PM
See!Now I have two more definitions of "we"! I have heard so many negative comments about the book Moonshot... that it is more fact than fiction... that I'm hesitant to use it for a definitive answer. I was hoping that someone had heard of Shepard being asked this question at one of his talks... |
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