Moon News, 1969: The Year That Changed America. (origin, American, best)

[John1960]

Four decades ago this summer, I stood next to a colleague and helped set up some instruments on a distant place.

1969: The Year That Changed America - FOXNews.com

[MICoastieMom]

Not exactly sure what this means, but has anyone considered that the first men to fly, Orville and Wilbur Wright; the first American in outer space, John Glenn; and the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, were all from Ohio?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by MICoastieMom

Not exactly sure what this means, but has anyone considered that the first men to fly, Orville and Wilbur Wright; the first American in outer space, John Glenn; and the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, were all from Ohio?

One thing that it means is that you need to check your history. Alan Shepard was the first American in space. He was born in New Hampshire.

[MICoastieMom]

Originally Posted by Grandstander

One thing that it means is that you need to check your history. Alan Shepard was the first American in space. He was born in New Hampshire.

This is what happens when one sits at the computer too late at night on C-D instead of going to bed. True, Alan Shepherd was the first American in outer space, he did orbit the globe. What I intended to write, if I hadn't been sleep deprived, was that Glenn was the first American to orbit the globe. Shame on me for making such an obvious error. My rocket scientist father (who developed the telemetry for the Mercury series) must be spinning in his grave!

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by MICoastieMom

This is what happens when one sits at the computer too late at night on C-D instead of going to bed. True, Alan Shepherd was the first American in outer space, he did orbit the globe. What I intended to write, if I hadn't been sleep deprived, was that Glenn was the first American to orbit the globe. Shame on me for making such an obvious error. My rocket scientist father (who developed the telemetry for the Mercury series) must be spinning in his grave!

Quite understandable, a very common mistake. For whatever reasons, John Glenn managed to capture the the majority of the attention showered on the Mercury astronauts and is easily the best remembered of the original seven. I would attribute this to: A) The Glenn flight had some drama associated with it in that NASA was uncertain whether or not the heat shield on his capsule had degraded to the point where Glenn would have burned to death during re-entry. Shepard's flight had not featured any close calls. and B) Glenn kept his name before the public by entering politics and winning a Senate seat.

Although I think I have finally overcome the problem, for the longest time I used to fuse Charles Martel and Charlemagne into one person, at least in terms of their deeds, and I had several "ooops" moments with statements I made or wrote about one or both of them.

[round tuit]

I have always admired the two men who handled fame well and walked away from it well! Neil armstrong, and Johnny carson, both had their time in the spotlight, and were content to return to private life, keeping things in perspective. That takes a man who is secure in who he is! Johnny married again and was happy to live a private life. Neil turned his back on millions in endorsements, and to this day remains the "reluctant astronaut"...no offense to Don Knotts! He refers to his moon trip as only "fireworks" and wants to be remembered for his whole life's work.Buzz, on the other hand, like his name... can't quit chasing that flame! ...or is that fame?