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Author
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Topic: Photo of the week 217 (December 27, 2008)
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heng44
Member Posts: 3387
From: Netherlands
Registered: Nov 2001
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posted 12-27-2008 04:02 AM
   
 Forty years ago today, the Apollo 8 astronauts stepped from the recovery helicopter aboard the USS Yorktown after an incredible journey. And my life would never be the same again... Ed Hengeveld |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 12-27-2008 07:12 AM
"And my life would never be the same again..."Truer words were never spoken. Weren't we lucky to see it happen?! Tim
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dwmzmm
Member Posts: 82
From: Katy, TX USA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 12-27-2008 08:44 AM
Apollo 8 was the space shot that sparked my interest in space exploration and, a few months later, model rocketry (I was 12 years old then). Never looked back since....------------------
Dave, NAR # 21853 SR.
Challenger 498 Section
NAR Advisor |
SpaceCat
Member Posts: 151
From: Florida, US
Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-27-2008 09:26 AM
A salute to the guys who "saved 1968!" |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 12-27-2008 09:48 AM
Well Ed, another great photo. This one has inspired us to go to Charleston SC today and visit the USS Yorktown! |
MoonCrater1
Member Posts: 85
From: Queens, NY, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 12-27-2008 10:34 AM
That IS a great picture of a great event in history - the safe return of the first humans to orbit the moon. |
Steve Procter
Member Posts: 1031
From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 12-28-2008 11:30 AM
Some really nice information here on the Apollo 8 mission and the USS Yorktown recovery effort.Cheers Steve |
ea757grrl
Member Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 12-29-2008 07:29 PM
I was eight the first time my family took me and my brother to visit the Yorktown, and when I found out that "my" ship (well, "mine" since I'm from SC) recovered the first men to fly to the moon, I was hooked. Other missions did far more, but Apollo 8's always been dear to me, for that and a lot of other reasons. jodie |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-30-2008 01:36 AM
Speaking of the Yorktown...Indiana Gazette: Penn Run man recalls mission to recover Apollo space capsule Tom Ray had many memorable adventures during his four years in the U.S. Navy. While on board the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown he crossed the equator four times and visited 13 countries."'Join the Navy and see the world' -- I did it," Ray, 60, said recently at his Penn Run home. What he considers the most memorable experience of his years as a sailor occurred just before dawn on Dec. 27, 1968 -- 40 years ago today. While standing on the flight deck of the 900-foot-long carrier, Ray and other Yorktown sailors spotted a flashing strobe light falling toward the ocean 2.5 miles from the ship. Then they saw three white parachutes, "each about as big as this house," Ray said. |
ea757grrl
Member Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 12-30-2008 04:31 PM
Thanks for that link, Robert. The Apollo 8 recovery forces had to spend Christmas of 1968 waiting for the astronauts to come back, and the Apollo 8 crewmembers were really grateful to them. There exists videotape of the three helping hand out slices of the big post-recovery cake on the hangar deck, and all three took time to chat with the Yorktown's crewmembers as they're helping give out pieces of cake. It's really neat to watch them smile and laugh with the enlisted men. Borman, Lovell and Anders also took a moment to wave to the crew of the USS Arlington (the communications relay ship) the following morning before flying off to Hawaii. Many years ago I maintained a correspondence with someone who was on the Yorktown during the Apollo 8 recovery. He was proud of his service aboard the Yorktown, but seemed especially proud to have been a part of Apollo 8. jodie |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 12-31-2008 10:31 PM
I can still remember how I felt as we sat in front of the TV that Christmas Eve watching the video from Apollo 8. I was only 13 at the time, and didn't realize the significance of what we were seeing. I do now, and am grateful that I was able to participate (even though it was vicariously).Randy |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 01-02-2009 10:55 AM
Here are a couple of shots from the Yorktown visit we made on the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 8 splashdown.
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