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Author
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Topic: Astronaut Walter 'Wally' Schirra (1923-2007)
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wickball
Member Posts: 117
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 05-03-2007 08:15 PM
   
The first and only astronaut I have ever met and I got his autograph on an Atlas model I built.It was an honor. |
Danno
Member Posts: 572
From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 05-03-2007 08:16 PM
I for one am not sad at all. Wally lived a VERY full, satisfying, and long life and made his mark on history. He had a great sense of humor and was an all around good guy. That is how I will quite fondly remember him.Sad? No way, he lived a life many would envy. I am glad he was here while he was. Way to go, Jolly Wally! |
Jay
Member Posts: 82
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 05-03-2007 08:18 PM
Not sure if I can add anything that has not been said. For those of us who grew up worshiping these guys, it is always a loss that is hard to explain to those who do not share a love of space history. As I sit here with tears in my eyes...I can only say thanks Wally for being such a vital part of a space program that I have followed my entire life. |
Andy Scott
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posted 05-03-2007 08:20 PM
Only just got the news over here...Gutted...just gutted... I never met the guy, but I always got the feeling I knew him personally... one of those unique men who got on with everybody, one of those guys who is just so down to Earth (and I make no apologies for the awful pun, it's what he would have wanted!).
You know what's weird... I got a copy of "The Real Space Cowboys" signed by Ed Buckbee and Wally himself only two days ago... A sad loss, but I know he wouldn't want us to grieve... so... Wear the brightest, most colourful ties to work until the period of mourning is over... do something stupid... pull a Gotcha... it's what he would have wanted! You know it makes sense! RIP Wally Schirra... Godspeed! |
randy
Member Posts: 2622
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 05-03-2007 08:44 PM
I had the privelege of hearing him at the 2001 AHOF ceremony. I'll always cherish that memory. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 05-03-2007 09:08 PM
This is a message from Ed Buckbee: Wally took his last flight. Remember this about Wally "Skyray" Schirra. Wally had a lot of boring simulations, rigorous tests, exciting flying and good times with all of us. Now he's up there in that big hanger in the sky, doing a lot of good flying. But before he went flying, he and Alan "Jose" Shepard pulled some really good gotchas. We miss him and we will be up there soon and try some of that flying ourselves."Levity is the lubricant of a crisis. We resort to jokes, pranks and good natured kidding to relieve tension, stress and boredom." - Wally Schirra |
poolman18
Member Posts: 225
From: Ontario,Canada
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 05-03-2007 09:27 PM
Tears in my eyes... thanks Wally |
Ray Katz
Member Posts: 145
From:
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 05-03-2007 10:12 PM
Never met him, but felt like I knew him. A whole bunch of my memorabilia are centered on Wally. His personality reminded us that, although astronauts were complete professionals, they are also wonderfully human.He lived a good long life, but I'm shocked and saddened that he's gone. |
RocketmanRob
Member Posts: 293
From: New York City USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 05-03-2007 10:17 PM
Godspeed Wally. Thanks for your service to our country. |
Moonpaws
Member Posts: 685
From: Lee's summit, MO
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 05-03-2007 10:31 PM
Wally signed a poem I wrote for him at the New Jersey show:A veteran of flight, steadfast and tough,
A chosen man, who had the right stuff.
From Sigma 7 to 6 Gemini,
a mastery of Apollo, to honor those who died.
From '69 to '72, the men who flew were numbered few.
And for those who stirred the dust, you lead the way and gained their trust.
So when the "Gods" gathered to give their hurrah,
"who brought us the moon",
they declared "Wally Schirra". |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3287
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-03-2007 10:34 PM
A statement from President Bush: Laura and I are saddened by the death of Wally Schirra. Wally was a member of the Original Seven, our nation's first class of astronauts. "Jolly Wally," as he was affectionately known, was the fifth American to go into space and holds the distinction as the only astronaut to fly in each of NASA's pioneering space flight programs: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. His ventures into space furthered our understanding of manned space flight and helped pave the way for mankind's first journey to the Moon. Laura and I join Wally's family and friends and the NASA community in mourning the loss of an American hero. |
Rizz
Member Posts: 1208
From: Upcountry, Maui, Hawaii
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 05-03-2007 10:40 PM
Thanks for the laughs and smiles. Aloha... |
freedom7
Member Posts: 16
From: San Rafael,CA
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 05-03-2007 10:50 PM
My wife left a message for me this morning at work telling me Wally had died, what a shock.I'm honored to have met Wally just a few months ago at an ASE fundraising event in the Bay area. He was just as I imagined him, jovial, smiling, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He autographed a picture for my baby daughter and then I couldn't resist asking him "Are you a Turtle" I'm sure he heard this a million times, but he obliged without a fuss. As there were a couple of little kids within earshot, he wrote out "YBYSAIA" on a hotel note pad and handed it to me with a wink. I'll treasure that little note and the short time I had with him. Cheers, great Turtle! |
Rick Boos
Member Posts: 851
From: Celina, Ohio
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 05-03-2007 11:52 PM
Godspeed my friend! |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2142
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-04-2007 12:02 AM
I'll treasure those moments, those puns and those conversations forever, and will miss the familiar cry of "Hey... it's Semi-Colon!" Godspeed, Skyray. |
br62
Member Posts: 136
From: The Frozen Tundra
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 05-04-2007 12:04 AM
Wally Schirra was truly the epitome of an American hero. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Wally on several occasions and have a number of special memories from our encounters that I will always treasure.He was a great friend to all space enthusiasts and collectors. My deepest sympathies go out to the Schirra family. Good bye Imperial Potentate. May God bless. |
DC Giants
Member Posts: 136
From: Kansas City, MO USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 05-04-2007 12:09 AM
I met Wally briefly after he gave a speech in Hutcheson KS. He was gracious and witty and was very nice about signing an autograph and having his picture taken with me. I greatly respected Wally and I will miss him. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3287
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-04-2007 12:41 AM
I liked the subtle and thoughtful addition on Scott Carpenter's website:"Somewhere up there, right about now, Wally is asking the angels not to sing 'Yellow Bird.' " |
Henk Boshuijer
Member Posts: 458
From: Netherlands
Registered: May 2007
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posted 05-04-2007 01:59 AM
I will always remember you Wally. |
manilajim
Member Posts: 256
From: Bergenfield, NJ USA
Registered: May 2000
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posted 05-04-2007 02:02 AM
He was the best turtle I've ever known...God bless you and may He watch over your family. You are greatly missed. |
chappy
Member Posts: 231
From: Cardiff, S. Wales, UK
Registered: Apr 2006
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posted 05-04-2007 04:36 AM
I'm saddened to hear the news of Walter Schirra, who passed away aged 84... he's one of the most respected astronauts and I wish to pass my deepest sympathy to Walter's family.Also it's induction day for 3 former astronauts to be inducted into the hall of fame tomorrow. It is going to be a mixed feeling for these former astronauts tomorrow.
Walter is one of the 'right stuff' people who paved the way for the people top explore the mystery of space. Rest in peace, Walter |
Obviousman
Member Posts: 438
From: NSW, Australia
Registered: May 2005
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posted 05-04-2007 04:37 AM
Vale Wally."Are you a turtle?" |
cspg
Member Posts: 6333
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 05-04-2007 04:37 AM
Could someone be kind enough to explain to me what is this thing with being a turtle? Meaning and where it comes from. I've seen it on cS before but I don't get it. Thanks. |
leslie
Member Posts: 231
From: Surrey, England
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 05-04-2007 04:38 AM
I consider myself fortunate to have met Wally Schirra.I am saddened by this news and send my respects to his family. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6333
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 05-04-2007 04:42 AM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
Could someone be kind enough to explain to me what is this thing with being a turtle?
See: Gotcha's and Turtles |
ABDUL
Member Posts: 139
From: KERALA
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 05-04-2007 05:30 AM
GREAT LOSS |
tncmaxq
Member Posts: 288
From: New Haven, CT USA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 05-04-2007 07:18 AM
I am so glad I had the honor of meeting him at the autograph show in DC in 2003. He was the last surviving member of the Original 7 I met. I have 5 of their signatures on my cherished press kit cover, along with 10 of the men who walked on the Moon, and many others.Have any funeral or memorial arrangements been announced? I wondered if perhaps he was to be buried at Arlington Cemetery. I would consider going, if there were a public ceremony. |
oldpara
New Member Posts:
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posted 05-04-2007 07:32 AM
We all need to follow the news closely in the next few days. I have a strong feeling that in his last will and testament, Wally has planned a final "GOTCHA" for someone. YBYSA he did!!!As to an earlier post, when Wally finishes with him, St Peter WILL be a Turtle... Blue Skies, Wally. We miss you. |
RISPACE
Member Posts: 67
From: Warwick, RI USA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 05-04-2007 07:42 AM
Wally was such a great guy. After reading about him over the years and learning about his career with NASA, I finally had the pleasure of meeting him at a UACC show in August of 2005. He was everything I expected; professional, kind, witty, and a genuine pleasure to talk to.My thoughts are with him and his family and friends. |
cklofas
Member Posts: 221
From: Euless,TX USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 05-04-2007 08:12 AM
A great man who clearly enjoyed what he did. He always had a ready smile and was as interested in your stories as you were in his. Fair winds and following seas, Wally. |
nelyubov
Member Posts: 139
From: USA
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-04-2007 08:21 AM
I am deeply saddened by the death of Captain Schirra but also "peeved". The reason: Wally did not live to be presented with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor which I believe he so richly deserved.He flys a "textbook" mission with Sigma 7 at a time when spaceflight was new. He saves the Gemini 6A rocket by staying cool during the shutdown and then flys the first redezvous mission. He then flys another textbook flight of Apollo 7 after the Apollo 1 fire. If that does not warrant a Space Medal of Honor -- then what does? No disrespect to Bill Shepherd or Shannon Lucid but their achievements for the Space Medal of Honor just don't match up to Wally. Let's hope that he will at least be given one posthumously some day. |
irish guy
Member Posts: 287
From: Kerry Ireland
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 05-04-2007 08:38 AM
God speed Wally.A great American.I too am honoured to have met him in 2001.We will all remember him this weekend. |
pterodactyl
Member Posts: 23
From:
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 05-04-2007 09:01 AM
Thank you Wally,We'll wear our black armbands for awhile and then get back to finishing the job you started all those years ago. Keep an even strain old friend. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3287
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-04-2007 09:30 AM
San Diego newspaper coverage: |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1410
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 05-04-2007 09:34 AM
I had the privilege of meeting Captain Schirra several times. Memorable.I am wearing my Hawaiian shirt today to work in his honor. Several students asked me about my shirt today. I am also thinking about the AHOF I am missing this weekend. I would have probably worn my Hawaiian shirt instead of a suit. We all miss you Wally. |
SCE to AUX
Member Posts: 245
From: Anytown USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 05-04-2007 09:47 AM
Hometown newspaper coverage from the Bergen Record of Hackensack, NJ: Also, nice Bergen Record reprint from May 9, 1992: |
collocation
Member Posts: 387
From: McLean, VA
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 05-04-2007 10:08 AM
If this has been covered before, I apologize. On youtube if you enter Schirra Actifed you will see an orginal and up-date Actifed commerical |
rocketJoe
Member Posts: 103
From: Huntsville, AL USA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 05-04-2007 10:59 AM
Wearing a Hawaiian shirt with pride (and sadness). I feel very fortunate to have met him.A true American hero. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 05-04-2007 11:58 AM
Wally's web site has had over 750,000 hits in the 24 hours since his death was announced by the media. That is quite a testament to the man [and quite a testament to my index finger holding up from hitting the reboot button].Wally and I had started working on a new video a few weeks ago. A prototype had been developed, which Wally loved. We were supposed to discuss it further at KSC next month and move the project along. However, it will never get beyond the prototype stage. At the urging of Francis French, I've posted the prototype on Wally's home page. The server is still taking some major hits, so if the video tends to run slowly or stop, that's the reason. |
MB
Member Posts: 178
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio U.S.A.
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 05-04-2007 11:58 AM
Wally, may the sky rise up to meet you and may fair winds be at your back. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palms of His hands. I would like to second Marks' recommendation that Wally receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, both for three incredable flights but also for all he did for promoting the space program after he retired. Godspeed. |
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