Posts: 165 From: North Carolina, USA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 04-07-2009 01:39 PM
Former flight director Gene Kranz continues to inspire... what a hero!
The "Make-A-Wish" foundation teamed up with FOX 11 to grant a special wish to an 11-year-old boy. Travis Clark has a brain tumor and he wanted to go to Houston to meet legendary Apollo 13 flight director Gene Kranz. But Travis wasn't well enough to make the trip, so we did the next best thing.
WOW. I was "whacked out" too.
garymilgrom Member
Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
posted 04-07-2009 02:13 PM
Wow indeed. Another example of the top notch men and women of America's space industry.
Super duper kudos to Mr. Kranz for making this wish come true.
posted 04-08-2009 01:22 PM
Kranz is truly a great American! I met him a few years ago in New Hampshire and he was inspirational.
randy Member
Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
posted 04-10-2009 02:30 AM
What a class act! You don't find many people like this any more. And that's sad.
Delta7 Member
Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 04-10-2009 10:17 AM
"Failure to come through for people is NOT an option!"
Class act all the way.
Mike Z Member
Posts: 451 From: Ellicott City, Maryland Registered: Dec 2005
posted 04-11-2009 11:38 PM
What a great thing Kranz did for Travis. Gene seems to be a wonderful person. You could see it in the video that he really cared about Travis.
The Make-A-Wish people are truly heroes. I can tell you from our experience. My son Craig was granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish people in 2001. He is a cancer survivor and also has many illnesses. We went to New York in December just 3 months after 9/11. We didn't spend a penny for anything from the limousine that picked us up, train we took, (Craig wanted to go by train) limousines in New York, the hotel on Times Square, four Broadway shows in the first couple rows, a private tour of the Empire State Building, meals and gifts. We even came back with money they gave us.
My wife and I also volunteered with them. They really do wonderful things for the sick children!! We do not hear enough good stories on the news!!
tegwilym Member
Posts: 2331 From: Sturgeon Bay, WI Registered: Jan 2000
posted 04-12-2009 01:38 AM
Very cool!
Cool kid too, most kids wouldn't have any idea who Gene was anyway.
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 04-12-2009 04:35 AM
Very humbling and moving watching the clip. It reinforces what we already know about Gene Kranz.
And Travis... if you should come across this website, keep strong Buddy!
sara1861 New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 04-20-2009 07:51 PM
I saw Gene as he was broadcasting for all the Apollo missions. I would love to meet him. He was so professional and a real expert in mission control.
Even though I worked on Apollo, I will never be able to meet people like Gene or any of the astronauts. There are lots of conventions and celebrations but I will never be able to go. A wonderful thing was done for that young man. Good for Gene and everyone involved.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-16-2009 10:45 PM
I just read the sad news that Travis Clark, the young boy featured in the video conference with Gene Kranz, passed away on June 9.
Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 06-17-2009 06:06 AM
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Scott Member
Posts: 3307 From: Houston, TX Registered: May 2001
posted 06-17-2009 06:24 AM
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Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 06-17-2009 08:17 AM
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cddfspace Member
Posts: 609 From: Morris County, NJ, USA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 06-17-2009 08:56 AM
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KSCartist Member
Posts: 2896 From: Titusville, FL USA Registered: Feb 2005
posted 06-17-2009 09:36 AM
Such sad news. My prayers to his family.
Tim
lm5eagle Member
Posts: 429 From: Registered: Jul 2007
posted 06-17-2009 09:52 AM
I was truly saddened to hear that Travis passed away. Gene Kranz did a wonderful thing for Travis while he was with us. Once again this reinforces everything that has been said about the legend that 'Flight' truly is. This is a very moving story.
Posts: 803 From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland Registered: Mar 2009
posted 06-17-2009 11:39 AM
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Delta7 Member
Posts: 1505 From: Bluffton IN USA Registered: Oct 2007
posted 06-17-2009 11:54 AM
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NavySpaceFan Member
Posts: 655 From: Norfolk, VA Registered: May 2007
posted 06-17-2009 03:13 PM
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spaceman Member
Posts: 1104 From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK Registered: Dec 2002
posted 06-17-2009 04:13 PM
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bruce Member
Posts: 916 From: Fort Mill, SC, USA Registered: Aug 2000
posted 06-17-2009 04:23 PM
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capoetc Member
Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 06-17-2009 07:06 PM
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dss65 Member
Posts: 1156 From: Sandpoint, ID, USA Registered: Mar 2003
posted 07-02-2009 08:38 PM
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hlbjr Member
Posts: 475 From: Delray Beach Florida USA Registered: Mar 2006
posted 07-03-2009 06:31 AM
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historyinminiature New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 07-03-2009 07:08 AM
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Harald Kraenzel Member
Posts: 304 From: Dinslaken,Germany Registered: Nov 2005
posted 07-03-2009 02:06 PM
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DC Giants Member
Posts: 135 From: Kansas City, MO USA Registered: Jun 2003
posted 07-04-2009 12:04 AM
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Mike Z Member
Posts: 451 From: Ellicott City, Maryland Registered: Dec 2005
posted 07-04-2009 05:45 AM
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It's an awful feeling when a child passes away. When my son was in the Oncology floor at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center in 1995, his 5 year old room mate was extremely sick, he had cancer in the bones. He had a bone marrow transplant from his twin brother, but still died. It shook the 8th floor (Peds Oncology). The doctors and nurses NEVER get used to that. My prayers go out to Travis' family. His parents are true heroes as are the docs and nurses. Gene is to for giving his time to bring some joy into Travis' life. Now Travis can be in a better place. Rest in peace Travis, God Bless.
Henk Boshuijer Member
Posts: 450 From: Netherlands Registered: May 2007
posted 07-04-2009 06:03 AM
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blue_eyes Member
Posts: 165 From: North Carolina, USA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 04-07-2009 01:39 PM
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