posted 10-15-2004 09:17 PM               

The service was broadcast on NASA TV and will replay tomorrow at 9am and 1pm (EDT). Paying tribute to Cooper were the surviving Mercury 7 astronauts John Glenn, Scott Carpenter and Wally Schirra; Henri Landwirth, who co-founded the Mercury 7 Foundation with Cooper (now the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation); Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper; and NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. Astronaut Bob Cabana presided over the tree planting ceremony at JSC's Memorial Grove. Frank Culbertson performed Taps.

Mike Fincke also delivered a tribute via video, ringing the bell aboard the International Space Station three times.

In addition to those named above, I spotted in attendance and/or spoke with John Young, Tom Stafford, Neil Armstrong, Gene Cernan, Dick Gordon, Buzz Aldrin, Walt Cunningham, Rusty Schweickart, Alan Bean, Fred Haise, Charlie Duke, Owen Garriott, Vance Brand, Bob Crippen, Hank Hartsfield, Dan Brandenstein, Charlie Walker, Rick Hauck, Rick Hieb, Hoot Gibson, Rhea Seddon, Bonnie Dunbar, Bernard Harris, Bill Readdy, Jake Garn, Jon McBride, Bo Bobko, Hans Schlegel, and several members of the 2004 Astronaut Class. There were likely quite more in attendance who I didn't see or cannot remember now.

Bobbie Slayton, Laura Churchley (Alan Shepard's daughter), and members of Grissom's family were also there to pay their respects.

posted 10-16-2004 11:49 AM               

I was honored to be able to pay tribute to Gordo by sending a check to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation per the family's wishes.

posted 10-16-2004 02:41 PM               

Scott Carpenter's tribute was absolutely riveting. He seemed so intense and emotional. I'm not sure I actually heard the words he said, but I certainly felt them. I'm not sure I can describe it any better than that.

The bell ringing from the ISS just about brought the house down. It was absolutely amazing and I don't think there was a dry eye in the auditorium afterwards.

Even the weather cooperated for the tree planting. Nice and cool with a light breeze. Very different from what you normally experience in Houston. The sky was a deep, clear blue; not a cloud anywhere. The T-38 that pulled out of the missing man formation went straight up for what seemed like minutes. I'll remember for a long time the image of that bright white jet getting smaller and smaller until it disappeared.

One of the things that was really good to see were the interactions between some of the astronauts, particularly the older guys. Even though it was a serious occasion, there were handshakes, hugs and lots of smiles all around. Neil looked better and more relaxed than I'd ever seen him.

posted 10-16-2004 07:36 PM               

I would guess that about 70-80% of the current astronaut office was in attendance (some were out of town, and some were flying in the missing man formation).

Some quotes I recall from the service (these are from my memory and may be paraphrased):

John Glenn: "Most of us [referring to the remaining Mercury astronauts] have a lot more runway behind them than ahead of them. Gordo has scrambled, he's out there ahead of us with Gus and Al and Deke, and I'm sure we'll all rendezvous out there, someday."

Scott Carpenter: "We were welded into a fraternity that had no equal at that time, or this time, for that matter."

Wally Schirra: "We regret losing Gordo. He was one of our dear friends. Not too bad a water skier, not too bad a pilot, but a heck of a good astronaut."

General John Jumper - USAF Chief of Staff: "We know that Gordon Cooper is off to that place that all airmen seek to go. A place that is higher, faster and farther."