Tag Archives: Monique Campbell Retzlaff

Garden City, New York, USA. June 6, 2019. The Freeport High School Upperclassmen Jazz Band entertains guests during the Cocktail Hour of the Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing.

Freeport H.S. Students Soar: ‘Apollo at 50’ at Cradle of Aviation Museum

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 4, 2019

Three talented, professional-caliber Freeport High School student groups helped make the Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner memorable at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on June 6th: Navy Junior ROTC, Select Chorale, and Upperclassman Jazz Band. 

Freeport High School Navy Junior ROTC

NJROTC instructor: Major Donald R. Moore, Jr. (U.S. Marine Corps., retired)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Three Freeport High School Navy Junior ROTC cadets wearing uniforms and about to participate at Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum, pose for photo in front of historic aircraft at museum exhibit. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Three Freeport High School Navy Junior ROTC cadets wearing uniforms and about to participate at Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum, pose for photo in front of historic aircraft at museum exhibit. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Cadets, representing the over 200 students in Freeport High School’s Navy Junior ROTC, participated in “Apollo at 50.”

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Freeport High School Navy Junior ROTC cadets wearing uniforms and about to participate at Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum, pose for photo in front of historic aircraft at museum exhibit. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Freeport High School Navy Junior ROTC cadets wearing uniforms and about to participate at Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum, pose for photo in front of historic aircraft at museum exhibit. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

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Garden City, New York, USA. June 6, 2019. Members of Freeport High School Navy Junior ROTC prepare to make entrance during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, USA. June 6, 2019. Members of Freeport High School Navy Junior ROTC prepare to make entrance during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

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Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. At right, a member of the Freeport High School Navy Junior ROTC is one of the cadets standing in front of the stage as Select Chorale members sing during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing, at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Her uniform jacket has a braided epaulet on the left shoulder. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. At right, a member of the Freeport High School Navy Junior ROTC is one of the cadets standing in front of the stage as Select Chorale members sing during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing, at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Her uniform jacket has a braided epaulet on the left shoulder. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The next section includes NJROTC cadets saluting as the Select Chorale sings the National Anthem.

Freeport High School Select Chorale

Select Chorale Director: Monique Retzlaff

Select Chorale members had time to chat during the Cocktail Hour.

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Freeport High School Select Chorale members, wearing formal black suits and evening dresses, gather before they perform during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Freeport High School Select Chorale members, wearing formal black suits and evening dresses, gather before they perform during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Shortly before entering the stage area of the vast atrium,  Apollo astronaut HARRISON SCHMITT and some Select Chorale members kindly agreed to gather for a group photo.

Garden City, New York, USA. June 6, 2019. Apollo 17 astronaut HARRISON SCHMITT, at center, poses with Freeport High School Select Chorale members soon to perform at Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Garden City, New York, USA. June 6, 2019. Apollo 17 astronaut HARRISON SCHMITT, at center, poses with Freeport High School Select Chorale members soon to perform at Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

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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/Ann-Parry.com)

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Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Freeport High School Select Chorale singers exit stage after performing during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing, at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Freeport High School Select Chorale singers exit stage after performing during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing, at Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Freeport High School Upperclassmen Jazz Band

Jazz Band Director: Michael LaSorsa

The Upperclassmen Jazz Band entertained guests during the Cocktail Hour.  

Garden City, New York, USA. June 6, 2019. The Freeport High School Upperclassmen Jazz Band entertains guests during the Cocktail Hour of the Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, New York, USA. June 6, 2019. The Freeport High School Upperclassmen Jazz Band entertains guests during the Cocktail Hour of the Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

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Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Freeport High School members of its Upperclassmen Jazz Band briefly stop to pose after performing  during Cocktail Hour at Cradle of Aviation Museum during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. Garden City. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Garden City, New York, U.S. June 6, 2019. Freeport High School members of its Upperclassmen Jazz Band briefly stop to pose after performing  during Cocktail Hour at Cradle of Aviation Museum during Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner, an Apollo astronaut tribute celebrating the Apollo 11 mission Moon landing. Garden City. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Additional members of the Freeport Public Schools family:

Board of Education President Michael Pomerico

Superintendent of Schools Kishore Kuncham, Ed.D.

Freeport High School Principal Joe Mille

FYI fLI:  During Art Expos a few years ago, I enjoyed working with Freeport H.S. students interested in developing their editorial photography skills. They captured such effective news photos – including of visitor Superintendent Kishore Kuncham, Ed.D. – during the events!


  • How Apollo astronauts and flight directors helped CAM, on June 6, celebrate the 50th Anniversary of NASA’s 1969 Apollo mission:

Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum


My news photos, 6/6/2019:  

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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.

Apollo at 50 Anniversary Dinner at Cradle of Aviation Museum

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 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 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 H.S. 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:  

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