posted 10-05-2004 07:26 AM               

My condolences go out to the family and friends of Astronaut Cooper. Gordo was a true American hero.

I am thankful for the times that I had the pleasure of meeting him. As with may people on this forum, my last meeting with Gordo occured at the Sims-Hankow autograph show in Los Angeles.

The last autograph that I asked Mr. Cooper to sign for me that weekend on a printed copy of the prayer he recited from space.

This prayer was recited during the flight of Faith 7 and is documented in Cooper's book "Leap of Faith."

Father, thank, you especially for letting me fly this flight. Thank you for the privilege of being able to be in this position; to be up in this wondrous place, seeing all these many startling, wonderful things that you have created.

Help guide and direct all of us that we may shape our lives to be so much better, trying to help one another and to work with one another. Help us to complete this mission successfully. Help us in our future space endeavors that we may show the world that a democracy really can compete, and that its people are able to do research, development and can conduct many scientific and technical programs.

Be with our families. Give them guidance and encouragement, and let them know that everything will be OK.

We ask in Thy name. Amen.

posted 10-05-2004 07:54 AM               

Like the others above, what a thrill to meet and talk to Gordo in Burbank for my son and me. We first spotted Gordo on Friday night in the hotel restaurant at a corner table with some other legends... Wally Schirra, Charlie Duke, Scott Carpenter, Richard Gordon, some of their wives. Despite what we had heard about Gordo's health, he seemed invigorated and lively as he shared stories and hearty laughter with his best buddies. Little did we to know it would be one of the last times, if not the last, that they would be together like this. A magical moment.

posted 10-05-2004 08:09 AM               

I met him since 1993 eleven times and it was always a pleasure talking to this great pilot and astronaut. I have very good memories about the different events and place I met him. As many of the cs members I also talked to him and heard some great storys from him about 4 weeks ago in Burbank.

He will always have a great place in my space collection.

posted 10-05-2004 08:30 AM               

Thanks to a fellow cS member who got me his autograph a few months back. It's sad that I and my daughter will not get the privilege of meeting Gordo in person, he was one of two people I was looking forward to meet this weekend.

To the people who recently met him at Burbank and in the past cherish the memorys.

posted 10-05-2004 11:28 AM               

My thoughts go out to family and friends at this terrible time. I was honored to meet briefly with him at Burbank and enjoyed meeting this wonderful hero of mine. While he did indeed look frail, I can say that he still seemed to be living life to the full when I saw him on those "off duty" moments during the weekend, and from the tales Wally Schirra told us at dinner he was still very active in giving Wally as good as he got!

posted 10-05-2004 12:10 PM               

He will always be the young guy who couldn't wait for his chance to go into space.

posted 10-05-2004 01:48 PM               

Then, sadly, another of the men who sparked that dream left us. I know it's a bit flowery but in a certain way, I like to think that Gordo saw that dream move closer for me, and all of us here, and figured that his job was done.

posted 10-05-2004 04:57 PM               

I met our friend Gordo only one time back in 1968... I was 15. My family drove to the Bunker Hill AFB near Peru, Indiana, being renamed for Gus Grissom.

I took some first day covers of the 5-cent spacewalker pair of stamps and walked up to the reviewing stand... a flat bed trailer.. not having any idea who might be up there. A very young looking (even to me at 15!) military man in his full dress uniform with sunglasses on, took a cover from me and signed it and handed it back... Gordon Cooper... that famous autograph that has changed little, if any, over all these years! Later I figured out that he must have been Mrs. Grissom's escort that day.

So he was the first astronaut I would "meet"... and that cover has never left me, as you can well imagine.

posted 10-05-2004 05:01 PM            

I thought that some of you would like to read some messages other people have left.

This was one quote someone had left:

He has been to heaven more than once, but only to visit. He returns now to claim his place forever.

posted 10-06-2004 10:47 PM               

The first time that I met Mr. Cooper was at a book signing at the National Air and Space Museum. Being my boyhood hero, I was really excited on my way to the museum. After standing in line for a while, Gordo was escorted out to the signing table. As I finally got close enough to get a good look at him, he appeared to have an aura around him. As I got even closer to the table, I was looking up at the ceiling for some type of special lighting that may have been shining down on him, giving him this aura-like look. I couldn't see anything out of the ordinary.

As most of us do, while in line I was thinking about what I was going to say to him once I reached the signing table. As it was finally my turn, I set my book down for him to sign, but nothing would come out of my mouth. I just stood there silent.

Finally, after he had finished with his signature, I said "Mr. Cooper, if you turn to the next page, I would like you to answer a question for me." He said sure, and turned the page. At the bottom of the page I made two square boxes. Above the first one I wrote YES and above the other box NO. I then asked him "would you please check one of the boxes, "have you really seen them out there?" I was hoping he would put a check in the first box, but to my suprise, he put two checks in the first box. He then lifted his head and looked at me for what must have only been a second or two, put out his hand, smiled that warm smile of his, and said thank you for buying my book. I think I floated all the way home.