posted 06-11-2007 02:17 PM            

Resolved, That the House of Representatives-

(1) honors the life and accomplishments of Astronaut Walter Marty Schirra and expresses condolences on his passing; and

(2) recognizes the profound importance of Astronaut Schirra's record as a pioneer in space exploration and long-time contributor to NASA's mission as a catalyst to space exploration and scientific advancement in the United States.

posted 01-10-2008 12:38 PM               

The San Diego Chapter of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) Foundation is working to establish a $150,000 endowment to award annually a $7,500 Wally Schirra Memorial Endowment Scholarship to an American graduate science scholar.

To this end, they have entered a PARADE Magazine competition for a $50,000 prize if they are able to secure the most donations -- not the most money, but the most individual contributors. If successful, these funds would go into the ARCS National Endowment Fund. A minimum donation of $10 is all that is needed. The contest ends on January 31.

posted 01-30-2008 11:29 AM               

As I said before, it's the NUMBER of the donation, not the amount. So hit the donation button in the message two before this one and kick in $10 [several times] for the cause.

One of the founders was interviewed this morning on Mark Larson's radio show. Great interview. Hopefully, people will queue up.

Remember, their total goal is to raise $150K for the endowment to give out as 20, $7500 scholarships in Wally's name. No begging and pleading once they hit the top number.

posted 01-30-2008 07:57 PM               

It's nice to see the numbers build for such a worthy cause.

posted 02-14-2008 10:08 PM               

Astronaut's Ashes Committed to the Sea During Ceremony Aboard Reagan

The ashes of retired Navy Capt. and astronaut Walter M. "Wally" Schirra, along with eight other Navy veterans, were committed to the sea Feb. 11 during a special burial at sea ceremony on board USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

Schirra, a former Navy test pilot who was one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, died at the age of 84 on May 3, 2007. He holds the distinction of being the only astronaut to fly in each of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.

Schirra, who also had special ties to Ronald Reagan shipmates, visited the aircraft carrier and signed autographs for the crew in 2005.

In 1962, Schirra became the fifth American in space and the third American to orbit the Earth, circling the globe six times in a flight that lasted more than nine hours.

Schirra once wrote, "We shared a common dream to test the limits of man's imagination and daring. Those early pioneering flights of Mercury, the performances of Gemini and the trips to the moon established us once and for all as what I like to call a spacefaring nation. Like England, Spain and Portugal crossing the seas in search of their nations' greatness, so we reached for the skies and ennobled our nation."

Ronald Reagan's command religious ministries department, along with help from the ship's honor guard, organized the morning ceremony.

"I'm in awe of these people in their commitment to their country, their service, and especially their families," said Cmdr. Lee Axtell, Ronald Reagan's command chaplain. "It's Navy tradition to stop for the day and pay tribute."

Ronald Reagan shipmates eagerly took time out of routine carrier operations to put on their service dress blue uniforms to take part in the ceremony.

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Christopher Gronde, a Ronald Reagan Sailor who was previously assigned to the presidential honor guard, said that despite all of the funerals he's take part in, each one still affects him deeply.

"I get this proud feeling about being up there," said Gronde. "I take a lot of pride in Navy tradition."

In addition to Schirra, some Ronald Reagan Sailors had other ties to the military veterans.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Scott Toupin, from Ronald Reagan's air department, committed the ashes of his uncle, Senior Chief Quartermaster William Dawson, to the sea during the ceremony.

Toupin said he was honored to give his uncle his final resting place and found himself moved by the ceremony and holding back tears.

"He never spoke to me about his time in the Navy," said Toupin recalling that his uncle was a quiet and reserved man. "He had served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, but I didn't know he was in [the Navy] until three months before his death."

With the firing of three symbolic volleys for each of the nine Navy veterans, Ronald Reagan Sailors bid a final farewell to these former shipmates.

Ronald Reagan was commissioned in July 2003, making it the ninth and newest Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The ship is named for the 40th U.S. president; its motto, "Peace through Strength," was a recurring theme during the Reagan presidency.

posted 02-15-2008 09:53 AM               

To you Captain Schirra, sir.

Eternal Father, Strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bid'st the mighty Ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to thee,
for those in peril on the sea.

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy word,
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
and calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee,
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

posted 11-06-2009 07:38 AM               

Late astronaut Wally Schirra will be honored with a memorial plaque presentation at Mount Soledad Memorial Association's Veterans Day Ceremony.

It will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Veterans Memorial atop Soledad Mountain, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive South.

The only astronaut to fly in the first three American space programs - Mercury, Gemini and Apollo - Schirra's black granite plaque will join scores of others on the memorial walls. Plaques honor veterans from the Civil War to current conflicts in the Middle East, and include a picture of the veteran with a brief summary of their military experience.

...at the Nov. 7 veterans ceremony, Schirra's plaque will be unveiled with members of his family in attendance. Schirra, who died on May 3, 2007, will be commemorated by close friend Mark Larsen, a KCBQ radio talk show host.

posted 03-11-2010 05:06 AM               

Thanks for everything!

posted 03-12-2010 01:58 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Aztecdoug:
I will always treasure the vision I have of Wally holding court at the hotel bar in Secaucus NJ back in 2005. Wally had his glass of Chardonnay in hand as he held the crowd captive with his stories. Thanks for the memories.

---

I was there also. Wally was in rare form that day as he traded stories and jokes with Ed Buckbee and Bill Dana, along with a small group of collectors. I don't think I ever laughed so hard.

The last time I saw him was at the 2006 UACC show in San Diego. I was passing by as he and a group were starting breakfast. Francis French invited me to join them. As I sat down near Wally, he said to me, "Ah, the doctor!" I was surprised he remembered me. The group had another great conversation with him.

Wally had always been my favorite of the Mercury astronauts. While we remember him most for his great sense of humor, he was a great aviator, test pilot, and engineer. His Mercury flight MA-8 was the perfect one; he saved the day for Gemini 6 by not baling out when the engines shut down in the October, 1965 launch attempt; and he played a major part in the recovery effort on the Apollo spacecraft after the 1967 fire.

He was a true gentleman, full of life, laughter, and enthusiasm. Happy Birthday!