After Apollo 10 Commander Lt. Gen. Tom Stafford confirmed he’d attend the November 14th Cradle of Aviation Museum Air and Space Gala, Congress called him to speak on November 13th at the House Science Committee hearing about what must be done for NASA to successfully return to the Moon by the president’s 2024 Moon to Mars goal.
Photo Video [music / 03:56] Cradle of Aviation Air & Space Gala 2019:
Stafford, determined to keep his promise to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, wasn’t daunted by the grueling schedule. He spoke in Washington, DC, and arrived the next day, Nov. 14th, at the Long Island gala in time to speak with guests and have about 100 photos taken with them, and receive the Spirit of Discovery Award.
Honorees
Spirit of Discovery Award: Lt. Gen. THOMAS P. STAFFORD. In 1962, Stafford, a U.S. Air Force officer and test pilot, became part of NASA’s second group of astronauts, and in 1969 he was the Commander of Apollo 10.
Leroy R. Grumman Award: PERRY K. YOUNGWALL, CEO & President of Transaero Inc.:
VIDEO ( vimeo.com/annparry/stafford ) near start of post includes – in addition to Honorees Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford, Perry Youngwall, and Huntley Lawrence:
FEATURE PHOTO at top of post: Garden City, NY, U.S., Nov. 14, 2019. The Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band performs during the 17th Annual Cradle of Aviation Museum Air and Space Gala.
From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com) July 30, 2019
During the July 20th Moon Fest Countdown at Cradle of Aviation Museum, visitors filled all three levels of the vast atrium to watch the re-enactment of the Eagle – the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar module – land on the Moon at 4:17 p.m EDT.
Before the Countdown there was a wide variety of activities. My two young grandchildren, who went with their mom, enjoyed building bottle rockets, riding “Moon buggies” outside, and more.
When the NY Avengers, a non profit group of cosplayers, were announced, a large group of visitors gathered at the stage.
There were loud cheers as Peter Quill, or Star Lord, portrayed by DOM CHARLAND, announced the super heroes, including Captain Marvel, portrayed by SAMANTHA CATALANO, who founded the group
Three NASA Space Shuttle Astronauts helped make Moon Fest special: CHARLIE CAMARKA, BOB CENKER, and BILL SHEPHERD.
After BILL SHEPHERD presented a lecture in the Red Planet Cafe, he autographed JOEY CASABIANCA‘s cast that Joey’s mom decorated with an Apollo 50 design.
Click photo below to see Bill Shepherd with Casabianca brothers Joey & Michael:
Countdown began at 4:00, and 17 minutes later a 1/3-scale replica of the LEM descended from the ceiling and touched down on the ground floor at the same time the Eagle landed on the Moon 50 years earlier.
Click photo below to see model of The Eagle lunar module after it landed:
A few days later I returned to visit the 1960s style living room with CBS news coverage of the Apollo 11 Moon landing playing on the tube TV with rabbit ear antenna, a neon orange couch and neon green chairs, a Woodstock poster, and Pink Floyd poster with psychedelic art. The dog sleeping in the pet bed was a nice live-in touch.
