posted 02-24-2016 08:42 AM               

Five years ago, my son and I got to attend the STS-133 launch as a VIP guest of one of the astronauts. It was cool that we were going to see one last shuttle launch. We received the invitation and we were glad to view it from the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Nice place to walk around, good sight lines and lots of energy.

We had the chance the day before to organize a get together of some of the crew's friends and family at Shuttles Bar and Grill, which was a great way to start things off. Everyone was real nice. I always stay at the Days Inn in Titusville because it is a nice hotel at a decent price and location.

On launch day we met up with some other friends and headed to the launch. What is nice about viewing the launch at the Saturn V Center is the people you get to see and meet. I had the chance to say hi to General Bolden, Chris Hadfield and a few other current and ex-astronauts. I think I drove my then-17 year old son crazy by introducing him around. We did get an update to date Bolden/son. The last one was when he was 7.

We found our spot on the lawn in front of the stands to watch the launch. As the window and countdown was in doubt (range issues) we were still hopeful it would launch. It did. What a great sight, it was against the blue sky. We always stay till the end nd wait for all the people to leave and we walked around thinking this will our last time for a very long time and it has.

Next day we headed over to Universal Studios for more fun. I will always remember this launch as the time I got to spend with my son (we left the wife and other son at home) and the special things we did together.