| Apollo Lands in Oklahoma City
The Gerrity Chapter (Ok.) participated in the planning for and attended the Apollo X 40th Anniversary Celebration held in Oklahoma City on 20 May. Lt Gen (ret) Thomas P. Stafford, an Oklahoma native, commanded this mission and was the star of the event. Apollo X was the first manned space mission to contain an all-veteran crew. This dress rehearsal for the Moon landing brought the lunar module within 8.4 miles of the lunar surface.
Early on in the planning phases of this gala celebration, Gen Stafford expressed his desire to include ten high schools students in this event to motivate and enrich them with the historical significance of this accomplishment ― the Gerrity Chapter took the lead in meeting this request. Gen Stafford specifically wanted students who exhibited good character, courage, and commitment in both their personal lives and as students. The chapter’s Aerospace Education Committee, led by Mark Tarpley, worked with high schools who were already affiliated with the chapter through the Visions of Exploration program, Air Force JROTC, and AFA Teacher of the Year. The schools selected students with strong academic standing as well as having a desire to continue their education in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields and have an interest in pursuing a career within aviation or space.
The Gerrity Chapter sponsored and arranged for all costs for those students and provided Gerrity members as escorts for each of them. The students were treated to a pre-reception meeting with Gen Stafford and Capt (ret) Eugene A. Cernan, the lunar module pilot for Apollo X and the “last man” to have walked on the moon during Apollo XVII. In addition to getting to meet these two astronauts, each student received a commemorative Apollo X 40th Anniversary coin and was recognized during the formal introductions of guests for their scholastic achievements. This event also included twelve other space program pioneers and was the largest gathering of Apollo astronauts since the Apollo program completed in 1972.
Return to the Table of Contents or go to the Next Article
The Air Force Association (AFA) is an independent, nonprofit IRS 501(c)(3) organization.
This newsletter is published monthly via e-mail. Submissions or comments should be sent to AENewsletter@afa.org. |
