Tag Archives: Apollo 13

Feature Photo Image created using photo of a sign next to looseleaf binder visitors can write a message on, at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Garden City, New York, U.S. Sept. 25, 2025. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Remembering Astronaut Jim Lovell

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
Sept. 26, 2025     

“You’re all, by the way, all astronauts. You’re on a spaceship called Earth. And we have limited resources. So we have to learn how to live and to work with those resources and other people.”   – Jim Lovell at Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, July 27, 2004

On August 7, 2025, when I heard NASA astronaut Jim Lovell, the Commander of Apollo 13, died that day, it immediately brought back me back to when l had the incredible luck to attend his lecture at Kennedy Space Center twenty-one years earlier.

• VIDEO 1: Jim Lovell 2004:  In the beginning; “Lost Moon”:

Being at the right place – the space center – and time – the afternoon of July 27, 2004 – to catch Jim Lovell’s lecture is one of the most serendipitous points of my life.

My husband Len and I were on a cruise and had the choice to go either to Disney World or the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex that day. Of course, this space nerd picked KSC.

Jim Lovell

Garden City, New York, U.S. Sept. 25, 2025. An armrest from LM-7 “Aquarious” removed upon reaching Earth prior to re-entry is on display at The Cradle of Aviation Museum. It is the only remaining piece of the Apollo 13 Lunar Module. Plaque inscription: “A PART OF AQUARIUS, LM-7 RETURNED TO GAEC PERSONNEL IN APPRECIATION FOR A JOB WELL DONE. FROM THE APOLLO 13 CREW JAMES A. LOVELL, JOHN L. SWIGERT, FRED W. HAISE” (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)  

Soon after we arrived at the center, we spotted a big sign announcing, in words to this effect: 

Captain James A. Lovell , Jr., Commander of Apollo 13, is speaking here this afternoon, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the release of Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13, which he co-authored with Jeffrey Kluger

Following the lecture, Lovell will sign hardcover copies – bought at the KSC Gift Shop – of that book, which the 1995 movie Apollo 13 was based on.

I could hardly believe it!

• VIDEO 2: Jim Lovell 2004:   Rocket Safety, Wernher von Braun:

We got on line early enough to get seats, thank goodness. As I remember it, the lecture hall was not all that big. But I could be wrong and remember feeling such a strong speaker-audience connection because Lovell was so personable, so warm, so engaging.

I captured only parts of Lowell’s speech because my camcorder was low on something, though I can’t remember if it was battery power or storage space. So I’d record only a few minutes at a time. And, oh dear, yes, the videos are shaky, since I was usually looking at Lovell, not the screen. 

• VIDEO 3: Jim Lovell 2004:  Vomit Comet Toilet Tests:

After Jim Lovell’s fascinating, funny, thought-provoking presentation was over, he invited us all to follow him out to the hall and over to the book signing area.

Our seats were near the aisle next to the door, so Len and I were one of the first ones behind Lovell.

But I couldn’t take a place at the front of, or anywhere on, the line because earlier I had unfortunately decided to buy the book right after the lecture, instead of before it. And we didn’t have time to buy the book and then wait on the quickly growing line before getting on the bus to return to the ship.

Jim Lovell

Garden City, New York, U.S. Sept. 25, 2025. Apollo Urine Containers and Collection Devices, circa 1969, are on display at The Cradle of Aviation Museum (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)  

But I wasn’t heart-broken by the lost opportunity once I realized I was so much luckier to see and tape Jim Lovell’s lecture than unlucky to miss getting him to sign a copy of Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13.

  • FEATURE IMAGE (at top of post): Photo-illustration created using photo of a “Captain James A. Lovell, Jr. March 25, 1928 – August 7, 2025” sign next to looseleaf binder visitors can write a message on, at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Garden City, New York, U.S. Sept. 25, 2025. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Cradle of Aviation Museum/Jim Lovell: my PHOTO GALLERY

Video Showcase – Jim Lovell at Kennedy Space Center 2004: vimeo.com/showcase/11826271

Cradle of Aviation Museum: cradleofaviation.org

James A. Lovell:  nasa.gov/former-astronaut-james-a-lovell

Kennedy Space Center: kennedyspacecenter.com

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Jim Lovell

Garden City, New York, U.S. Sept. 25, 2025. A large sign with “Apollo 13: Houston, we have a problem” related photos, forms and info is on display at The Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2025 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)  

Garden City, New York, U.S. September 29, 2022. FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut; smiles and waves to audience as he leaves after discussing his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut's Journey' in the updated JetBlue Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry, annparry.com).

Fred Haise: ‘Never Panic Early’ at Cradle of Aviation Museum

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
October 5, 2022

an Apollo 13 astronaut’s journey

Former NASA astronaut FRED HAISE came to the Cradle of Aviation Museum last week for a discussion and book signing about his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey.’ 

VIDEO: (17.5 minutes) Fred Haise at Cradle of Aviation Museum

The sold-out audience greeted Haise with long, loud applause when he entered the updated JetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium with a huge moon laser-projected at the top of the full-dome.

  • my Photo Gallery – Fred Haise at Cradle of Aviation Museum (Plus, click each photo below to see larger one.)
Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut, is about to discuss his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ at Cradle of Aviation Museum. BILL MOORE, book co-author, is behind him. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Thanks to the lively way Haise shared some dangerous times during his career – notably when the Apollo 13 spacecraft was damaged on its way to the Moon on April 13, 1970 – the time seemed to fly by fast enough to escape Earth’s gravity.

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. ANDREW PARTON. President of the Cradle of Aviation Museum, is introducing Fred Haise, former NASA astronaut, who will discuss his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ in the updated JetBlue Theater Planetarium.(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The book’s co-author, BILL MOORE, was on stage with Haise, and after the discussion they both signed visitors’ books in front of the Museum Store.

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. L-R, FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut, and co-author BILL MOORE are on stage to discuss Haise’s autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ in the JetBlue Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

I’ve enjoyed seeing Fred Haise several times at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. As THOMAS RIEDY, a trustee of the museum, said shortly before the event, the Cradle is very lucky that Haise is so supportive, visiting so frequently over the years.

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. L-R, FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut, and co-author BILL MOORE are on stage as they discuss Haise’s autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ in the JetBlue Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Never Panic Early’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. At lower left, L-R, FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut, with co-author BILL MOORE, discusses ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ in the JetBlue Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Pictures of Haise’s career are projected on the dome. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Never Panic Early’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. September 29, 2022. FRED HAISE (at right in red tie) NASA astronaut, chats with audience members after he discussed his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘Never Panic Early’

Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. FRED HAISE, at left, NASA astronaut, inscribes his autobiographical book ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ for family of the young boy he’s talking with at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. FRED HAISE, former NASA astronaut, smiles and waves to audience after his discussion of autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey’ in JetBlue Theater Planetarium at Cradle of Aviation Museum.

Fred Haise ‘Never Panic Early’: my PHOTO GALLERY

Video (top of post):  vimeo.com/757716910

Cradle of Aviation Museum:  cradleofaviation.org

Fred Haise:  fredhaise.space  • ‘Never Panic Early’

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Couple of Guys fundraiser

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. Sept. 29, 2022. L-R, THOMAS RIEDY, a trustee of Cradle of Aviation Museum, and ANDREW PARTON, President of CAM, look up at full-dome of  JetBlue Theater Planetarium before event when Fred Haise, former NASA astronaut, discusses his autobiography ‘Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey.’ (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. On stage are (at lectern) MICHAEL STROMER, JetBlue Chief Product Officer, Techology; and MARC MACDONNELL, Chair, Board of Directors of Cradle of Aviation, as seen from third level of atrium of CAM, during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. U.S. Navy Blue Angels Grumman F-11A Tiger jet is suspended from ceiling. Astronauts and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, are seated at tables next to stage. (Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
June 23, 2019

On June 6th, five Apollo Astronauts and two Apollo Flight Directors helped the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island celebrate the 50th Anniversary of NASA’s 1969 Apollo 11 mission, the first time humans walked on the moon. 

  • CLICK on photos below for some surprises
Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. After speaking at lectern on stage, at extreme right, ANDY PARTON, President of Cradle of Aviation Museum, turns to guests sitting behind him, L-R, Apollo 16 Lunar Pilot CHARLIE DUKE, Apollo Flight Director MILT WINDLER, Apollo 9 Lunar Pilot RUSTY SCHWEICKART, Apollo 13 Lunar Pilot FRED HAISE, Apollo 17 Lunar Pilot HARRISON SCHMITT, Apollo Flight Director GERRY GRIFFIN, and Apollo 7 Lunar Pilot WALT CUNNINGHAM, during Cradle of Aviation Museum's Apollo Astronauts Press Conference during its day of events celebrating 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. After speaking at lectern on stage, at extreme right, ANDY PARTON, President of Cradle of Aviation Museum, turns to guests sitting behind him, L-R, Apollo 16 Lunar Pilot CHARLIE DUKE, Apollo Flight Director MILT WINDLER, Apollo 9 Lunar Pilot RUSTY SCHWEICKART, Apollo 13 Lunar Pilot FRED HAISE, Apollo 17 Lunar Pilot HARRISON SCHMITT, Apollo Flight Director GERRY GRIFFIN, and Apollo 7 Lunar Pilot WALT CUNNINGHAM, during Cradle of Aviation Museum’s Apollo Astronauts Press Conference during its day of events celebrating 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Astronaut Press Conference

That day – part of a multi-year series of CAM events leading up to the anniversary on July 20, 2019 – started with a Press Conference featuring many who would be guests at the dinner that night: Apollo astronauts and flight directors, plus Long Islanders who worked for Grumman when it was NASA’s LEM contractor:

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. RUSTY SCHWEICKART, Apollo 9 astronaut is interviewed in front of mural of Apollo 11 launch, during Cradle of Aviation Museum's Apollo Astronauts Press Conference during its day of events celebrating 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. RUSTY SCHWEICKART, Apollo 9 astronaut, is interviewed in front of mural of Apollo 11 launch, during Cradle of Aviation Museum’s Apollo Astronauts Press Conference during its day of events celebrating 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. SAMUEL KOEPPEL, who was Grumman's Technical Editor when Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. won the NASA contract to design and build the Lunar Excusion Module for the Apollo Program, is interviewed during Astronauts Press Conference for Apollo at 50 at Cradle of Aviation Museum, where he is a docent. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. SAMUEL KOEPPEL, who was Grumman’s Technical Editor when Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. won the NASA contract to design and build the Lunar Excusion Module for the Apollo Program, is interviewed during Astronauts Press Conference for Apollo at 50 at Cradle of Aviation Museum, where he is a docent. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Apollo Flight Director GERRY GRIFFIN is interviewed during Cradle of Aviation Museum's Apollo Astronauts Press Conference during its day of events celebrating 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Apollo Flight Director GERRY GRIFFIN is interviewed during Cradle of Aviation Museum’s Apollo Astronauts Press Conference during its day of events celebrating 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. L-R, Astronauts CHARLIE DUKE, Apollo 16, and FRED HAISE, Apollo 13, Lunar Module pilots, pose in front of the genuine Grumman Lunar Module 13, built for canceled Apollo 18 mission, during Cradle of Aviation Museum's Apollo Astronauts Press Conference during its day of events celebrating 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. L-R, Astronauts CHARLIE DUKE, Apollo 16, and FRED HAISE, Apollo 13, Lunar Module pilots, pose in front of the genuine Grumman Lunar Module 13, built for canceled Apollo 18 mission, during Cradle of Aviation Museum’s Apollo Astronauts Press Conference during its day of events celebrating 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner

During the cocktail hour, guests could snack, dance to music by the Freeport High School Jazz Band, and take selfies with Apollo astronauts they spotted.

Astronaut Fred Haise was chatting with a couple, whom I later learned were Peter and Kelly Kelly, when I asked if they’d like me to take a photo of them in front of the Apollo 11 moon mural:

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. L-R, Apollo 13 astronaut FRED HAISE, PETER KELLY and KELLY KELLY, pose in front of moon landing mural at Cradle of Aviation Museum during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. Pete Kelly is youngest of 5 sons of Thomas J. Kelly, who led the design team for the Lunar Module, and is commonly called the Father of the Lunar Module. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. L-R, Apollo 13 astronaut FRED HAISE, PETER KELLY and b, pose in front of moon landing mural at Cradle of Aviation Museum during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. Pete Kelly is youngest son of the late Thomas J. Kelly, who led the design team for the Lunar Module, and NASA calls the Father of the Lunar Module. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Days after the event, I realized Peter Kelly was the youngest son of the late Thomas J. Kelly, Long Island’s aerospace engineer who led the design team for the Lunar Module and whom NASA calls the Father of the Lunar Module.

FYI from fLI: Thomas Kelly was born in Brooklyn in 1929, and he was raised in Merrick – where I was born and raised, decades later. One of us graduated valedictorian from Mepham High School, and the other taught there briefly during a long career in Bellmore-Merrick CHSD. 

Freeport High School Groups

Three student groups from Freeport High School performed at the Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner and Cocktail Hour: FHS Select Chorale singers, FHS Upperclassman Jazz Band musicians, and FHS Navy Junior ROTC cadets.

Garden City, NY, U.S. June 6, 2019. Freeport High School Select Chorale singers perform - with their Director MONIQUE RETZLAFF standing at right, facing them - during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner. FHS Navy Junior ROTC cadets are saluting. Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing was held at Cradle of Aviation Museum.) (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, NY, U.S. June 6, 2019. Freeport High School Select Chorale singers perform – with their Director MONIQUE RETZLAFF standing at right, facing them – during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner. FHS Navy Junior ROTC cadets are saluting. Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing was held at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. L-R, GERRY GRIFFIN, Apollo Flight Director; Apollo 9 astronaut RUSTY SCHWEICKART; Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN; and Apollo 16 astronaut CHARLIE DUKE pose for photo at Cradle of Aviation Museum during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. L-R, GERRY GRIFFIN, Apollo Flight Director; Apollo 9 astronaut RUSTY SCHWEICKART; Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN; and Apollo 16 astronaut CHARLIE DUKE pose for photo at Cradle of Aviation Museum during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. ANDY PARTON, President of Cradle of Aviation, is speaking on stage, as seen from second level of atrium of Cradle of Aviation Museum, during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. The 5 Apollo Astronauts, 2 Apollo Flight Commanders, and Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN sat at tables next to stage. U.S. Navy Blue Angels Grumman F-11A Tiger jet is suspended from ceiling. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. ANDY PARTON, President of Cradle of Aviation, is speaking on stage, as seen from second level of atrium of Cradle of Aviation Museum, during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. The 5 Apollo Astronauts, 2 Apollo Flight Commanders, and Nassau County Executive LAURA CURRAN sat at tables next to stage. U.S. Navy Blue Angels Grumman F-11A Tiger jet is suspended from ceiling. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Silent Auction

Space memorabilia and space-themed Items donated for the Silent Auction fundraiser were on display in a corridor off the ground floor level of the atrium. Interested bidders didn’t need to be at the anniversary dinner, since bids were placed securely online.

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Colorful print'Just the Beginning' of Neil Armstrong in front of American Flag - signed by its artist Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean - is a Silent Auction fundraiser space memorabilia item on display at Cradle of Aviation Museum during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Colorful print ‘Just the Beginning’ of Neil Armstrong in front of American Flag – signed by its artist Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean – is a Silent Auction fundraiser space memorabilia item on display at Cradle of Aviation Museum during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. (© 2019 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Feature Photo (at top of post): Garden City, NY, USA. June 10, 2019. On stage are L-R, MICHAEL STROMER, JetBlue Chief Product Officer, Technology and MARC MACDONNELL, Chair, Board of Directors of Cradle of Aviation, as seen from third , level of atrium of CAM, during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner. U.S. Navy Blue Angels Grumman F-11A Tiger jet is suspended from ceiling. (© 2019 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

site: Cradle of Aviation Museum

Photos of Apollo at 50 Anniversary, Cradle of Aviation Museum, July 6, 2019:  

• Astronauts Press Conference

• Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner

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