posted 12-29-2005 11:03 AM
2005 vs 2006
2005 is soon coming to an end. It was a fun year for me. The year brought many special events, meetings, autographs and fun.
In the spring, the Ignite Foundation (I am the treasurer) was able to bring up astronaut Janet Kavandi to meet and greet lots of great kids at the Mass General Hospital, The Shriners Burn Center and the Epping, NH school. It was great hanging around and taking Janet to some Boston landmarks and to see her bring some smiles to those kids.
For my birthday, my family gave me a trip to Florida for the 2005 Hall of Fame Inductions. It was great meeting all the ex astronauts and many CSr’s. Hanging out with Gary, Al, Gerhard and many others brought some great stories and new friendships. Some of the highlights were having dinner with Cece Bibby, Dick Gordon and Larry McGlynn under the Saturn Five (plus the ASF Scholarship winner and the rest of our fun table). Watching the last Titan was a bonus as well. Some of the nicest astronauts (Brian Duffy, Dick Covey, Gordon Fullerton, Joe Allen, Bruce McCandless, Rick Hauck, Rick Hieb) all spent a few minutes talking and some even remembered me for last year. It was funny standing across the line and talking with Dick Covey at the Orlando airport as we both tried to get home after or flights were cancelled due to thunderstorms. Breakfast with Al H. and friends while listening to Duke and Young was fun but not as much as Al H trying to make me try some gravy and grits.
The fall of 2005, brought some great memories as well. Through the Ignite Foundation, the Ashland and Sudbury Public Schools, The Christa McAullife Charter School we were able to bring astronaut Dan Burbank up to MA for lots of school visits. It was also great getting to know Dan see him interact with the kids. He signed so many photos for those kids, I was surprised he didn’t get writers cramp. I hope he gets to fly next year aboard STS 115. They have been training so hard and for so long.
I also had the opportunity to meet Steve Robinson, Jeff Hoffman, Farouk El Baz and Bob Seamans at some Museum of Science, Boston events as well. This winter has been a little slow but I am working on things.
Even though I do not actively collect autographs through the mail I still have received this past year photos signed by Reilly, Covey, STS 114 ( all but Robinson and Camarda), Wilcutt, Cockrell and a few others. The ones I enjoy the most are the ones I send to the astronauts I meet that then will sign something funny or witty on it. My Dick Gordon one is a classic. Other favorites are a Soyuz launch photo signed by back up Bob Thirsk, my photos (me and the astronaut) with Hoot Gibson, Charlie Precourt, Dan Burbank, Janet Kavandi and my shuttle landing photo signed by Kavandi, Voss and Gorie, my launch photo signed by Grunfeld plus some others.
Some of my other great memories of 2005 were of the friendships that were generated through Collect Space, the astronaut events and the ASF Hall of Fame weekend. Many thanks to Garry, Brian (scouting), Ian A. (you have to save some time and money up to go the May 2006 HOF Inductions- you would love it) plus all my friends in Texas and other parts of the world ( Mike D.- you too need to save and come to FL for the HOF inductions) and finally to Larry M. for all his help with events. He always has a great story and will always take the time to help out when he can.
I hope 2006 will bring some more great memories and friendship like 2005 did. I am already working on bringing up some more astronauts this winter and spring. So watch Collect Space for details- I will need some help this year.
Thanks to everyone who helped me this year and have a happy holiday season and a great new year. Enjoy my pictures:
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4055400&a=31465992&vt=vp
Bryan
posted 12-29-2005 11:03 AM
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