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VIP Launch Guests
I wanted to take the time to write some of my thoughts on the STS-116 launch that recently occurred on 9 DEC 06. As usual, since I have no Firing Room launch duties, I volunteered to escort VIPs to view the launch. In the past we have escorted Presidents, their wives, Senators, Actors, and many other famous persons. It has always been an exciting time for me to be able to meet these VIPs and present our Space Center and launch to them. Always, their excitement pumps me up and makes me thankful that I have been blessed to work in such an exciting place.
I had a different experience during this launch. I escorted the NASA Administrator’s Guests, most all of them VIPs from the Washington D.C. area. When we got to the viewing room on the fifth floor of the Operations Support Building, there were the usual speeches and flight overview by one of the Astronauts. I noticed that there were several reserved seats, about forty of them, that indicated “VA”. I didn’t know what to expect, but finally the honored guests were brought into the room. Looking at them I realized they were disabled veterans who were injured in Iraq. Some could walk, some were lead, and some came in wheelchairs. Some were spouses and children who came alone. They walked in to a standing ovation. When I realized who they were, tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn’t keep myself from crying.
Jim Kennedy, the Kennedy Space Center Director welcomed the Veterans and said they were the most important VIPs that have ever visited the Space Center. They were important because these men and families, and others like them, made it possible for us to live in this country and to do things like fly into space. I was very proud of them and also proud of the way they were treated. Several of the astronauts in attendance, including Eileen Collins, spent a lot of time visiting, thanking and loving on them. The vets were all smiles and seemed to enjoy being there, and of course they enjoyed the spectacular launch.
I spent quite awhile with a particular young veteran named Steve Pyle. He was happy to share his experience with me and I would like to share his story with you. Steve was the leader of a small group of Army Infantry. Two of his men were pinned down in action from the enemy Iraqis. He threw two smoke bombs to provide some cover and then ran to the aid of his men. During the run, he was hit with a mortar which severely injured him, nearly severing his leg. As he lay there bleeding to death, he saw two men running towards him. His first thought was that he would die, but then he had hope because he thought these two men would rescue him. When they got to him, they started kicking him. He called them “Pansies” because he was mortally wounded and yet they continued to kick him. As he curled up to cover himself, he realized that he had a bayonet. He managed to pull the bayonet out of its sheath and stabbed one of his attackers, eventually killing him. The other Iraqi enemy began to run. Steve found his gun nearby and crawled to get it. He shot the enemy three times and killed him before he passed out.
Steve has spent three years in the Veterans Hospital in Tampa. He couldn’t walk or talk for one year. He is now walking with a cane and talking. While I was visiting with him, a cute little girl about six years old came running up to him and gave him a hug and a kiss. She was one of seven of his beautiful children. He said he would do it again. Yes, he is a hero.
No matter what you think of the war, how it started, or how it will end, we must be grateful to those who are making a sacrifice for our freedom. In the history of our Country, there has always been a great price to pay to preserve our way of life. The next time you begin to feel disappointment because of some inconvenience or minor injury, think of our veterans. Let us all remember and pray for our troops that are far from home and family this Christmas.
Thanks go to our Veterans and to Jim Kennedy for inviting them to this launch. It will certainly be a launch I will never forget.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Tom Overton
NASA Manifest Planning