You're lucky to have been there. Indeed, we had many heroes back then.

I always liked his name, also. Just kind of sounds like a hero's name...

To the stars, Wally Shirra, RIP.

Dan


"ManhattanMan" wrote in message ...
I was priviledged to have been aboard the USS Kearsarge in Oct, 1962 to witness the first astronaut to re-enter earths
atmosphere in full view of the recovery force. I took his picture climbing out of the 'Sigma 7' Mercury capsule, from
the catwalk overlooking #3 elevator, and it, along with the two page spread from Look Magazine, has been on my office
wall for the last 45 years.
http://www.members.cox.net/drpics/shirra_oct62.jpg
Six months later we picked up Gordon Cooper, and it was a carbon copy of Shirra's re-entry.

About four years later I was working for Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (ARINC) in Kansas City, and discovered the station
managers wife went to high school with Wally, back in the Seattle area I believe. It's a small world..

RIP Wally Shirra, and thanks for everything.....

Don