Unveiling of the Stamps
We recently returned from a visit to the Kennedy Space Center and had the privilege of meeting the oldest daughter of the late astronaut Alan Shepard. She and her extended family attended the first day issue of a stamp honoring her dad’ s 5oth anniversary as the first American to orbit the earth.
Present for the event was Scott Carpenter, one of the original Mercury seven astronauts and the second American to orbit the earth. Mr. Carpenter is on the right and the US postal official is on the left. The event also honored the Mercury Messenger space ship and satellite. We got Ms. Carpenter’s autograph as well as the Mercury Messenger mission manger on our first day covers.
Shuttle Endeavor
We toured the Space Center and were lucky to get a photo of the space shuttle Endeavor on the launch pad prior to its launch on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the gantry was around the shuttle and we could only get a picture of the booster rockets.
This was Endeavor’ last mission and Rep. Gabby Giffords was on hand to see her husband and astronaut Mark Kelly as Endeavor’s commander liftoff on May 16.
Fantastic!