Condolences for Walter Schirra

WHEN i WAS CHIEF OF THE ASTRONAUT SUPPORT OFFICE AT CAPE KENNEDY AND WALLY COMMANDED GEMINI 7--WHEN THE LIFTOFF ATTEMPT FAILED TO OCCUR AND WALLY BRAVELY DID NOT PRESS THE ABORT SWITCH; WALLY SIMPLY TOLD ME..."I WAS READY, IT WASN'T".

Posted by: CHUCK FRIEDLANDER - San Diego, CA - NASA Astronaut Office, Retired May 03, 2012

When I was just a kid back in 1962 my family moved to the central Florida area. We all (Mom, Dad, and us 7 kids) traveled to the then named Cape Canaveral for a parade that was being held in Wally's honor for his first Mercury flight. I somehow managed to sneak into the press conference that was being held in the local Holiday Inn. It was a special moment for me to be so close to my hero. I remember how witty and likeable he semed to me that day and for the rest of his life he never said or did anything to change my first impression. He will be missed by many more folks than me, but I feel I've lost a friend.
Michael B Pasternack(Blorno)

Posted by: Michael Pasternack - Danbury, CT May 14, 2007

Probably the most human of all the asronauts, back in our day--Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. An absolutely unforfettable man. Fast, quick, witty and humorous but while in Command of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo - serious taskmaster. Long live his memory.
Chuck Friedlander
NASA, Mercury, Gemini and Apollo

Posted by: Chuck Friedlander - San Diego, CA May 06, 2007

Wally Schirra will long live in my memory. Much of my interest in the space program was because of him. He was supposed to be in Seattle 4/28 and didn't make it. I so much wanted to meet him and tell him what a great American hero he was. As a kid, a friend and I sent him a birthday card (1963)and he wrote back to us. I'm sure his secretary typed it, but he signed it. We didn't expect to hear from him so that really made our whole year to get that letter!!!! What a loss. When these people who helped shape our history and our lives die, it feels like part of us go with them too. I never met him, but felt I knew him because I read everything I could find. And he was so calming beside Walter Chronkite during the moon missions, especially Apollo 13. I miss him. Lets do what Wally asked "Take care of spaceship earth"

Posted by: Renee Guernsey - Bellingham, WA May 05, 2007

Walter (Wally) was one of my heros back in those good ole days. The original 7 astronauts were all my heros. Today it is hard to find true heros. When I was in high school in the late 50s and early 60s I wanted to be an astronaut so bad I could taste it. I followed all of the mission Walter Schirra took in the void of outer space. I still follow the endevors of the space program focusing especially on Mars. I just hope I live long enough to see man land on Mars but Im not holding my breath. Thanks Wally for the great memories. Larry Carter

Posted by: Larry Carter - Eagle Point, OR May 04, 2007