I was very fortunate to have been on Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards AFB on the day that Crippen and Young arrived on the lakebed in STS-1. The landing happened so quickly that I was astonished. From the twin sonic booms overhead to the touchdown on the lake seemed almost instantaneous — but I shall never forget it. I purchased a button from a lakebed entrepreneur that said “I SAW A SPACESHIP LAND ON EARTH.”I attached the button to my old cowboy hat that I wore in the desert sun. I still have that button somewhere . . .
Commander John Young received his award in 1981, and Crippen’s award was overdue in my opinion. Congratulations Bob Crippen!
NASA — First Shuttle Pilot Crippen Gets Congressional Space Medal of Honor
Former NASA astronaut Bob Crippen, pilot on the first space shuttle mission in 1981, has been honored with the nation’s highest award for spaceflight achievement, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
Yesterday evening, at a gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first Space Shuttle mission, Robert Crippen became the 28th astronaut in history to be awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
The surprise presentation by NASA Administrator Michael Griffin was made before the gathered audience at the National Air and Space Museum, including Crippen’s STS-1 commander and 1981 medal recipient John Young.
“This medal, awarded by the Congress of the United States, commemorates publicly what all of us who know Bob Crippen already understood: he is an authentic American hero,” said Griffin.
“It was such a surprise. I am totally overwhelmed,” said Crippen in a statement released after the ceremony. “Just look at the names of the people who are on the list. They are heroes in the truest sense of the word and I can’t believe someone would think to include me in such distinguished company. I’m so honored.”
The award commends astronauts whose efforts in space exemplify actions of tremendous benefit to mankind. The medal, which has also been given to astronauts who died in the line of duty, was last presented in 2004 to the crew of STS-107. The award was first given in 1978 to astronauts Neil Armstrong, Frank Borman, Pete Conrad, John Glenn, Alan Shepard, and posthumously to Virgil “Gus” Grissom.
Snow began his journalism career in 1979 in newspapers as an editorial writer for The Greensboro Record in North Carolina. Next as an editorial writer at The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia (1981-82), editorial page editor of The Daily Press in Newport News (1982-84), deputy editorial page editor of The Detroit News (1984-87) and editorial page editor of The Washington Times (1987-91). Also The Detroit News published his commentary from 1993 to 2000, and he was a Counterpoint Columnist for USA Today from 1994 to 2000.
Albert Scott Crossfield (October 2, 1921 – April 19, 2006) Born in Berkeley, California, normally referred to as Scott Crossfield, grew up in California and Washington. He served with the U.S. Navy as a flight instructor and fighter pilot during World War II. From 1946-1950, he worked in the University of Washington’s Kirsten Wind Tunnel while earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautical engineering. In 1950, he joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics’ High-Speed Flight Station (now the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center) at Edwards Air Force Base, California, as an aeronautical research pilot.
Owens was named the most promising country and western singer of 1960 by Billboard, and his top-10 duets with Rose Maddox in 1961 earned them a nod as vocal team of the year in DJ polls. But it was in 1963, after updating his sound again, that Owens’ career went ballistic. He moved away from the traditional country shuffle to a more upbeat, driving style (“…like a freight train coming through your livingroom,” as Buck said) with the single “You’re For Me” in late 1962. A few months later, “Act Naturally” became his first No. 1 hit. It was rock ‘n’ roll with a country feel. The Beatles later covered it without changing much of anything. It crossed over to the pop charts, and it began an astonishing run: for the next four years, every Buck Owens single went to No. 1. Fifteen in a row. At one point, he had a B-side, “My Heart Skips a Beat,” alternating in the top spot with its A-side, “Together Again.” “Love’s Gonna Live Here,” the follow-up to “Act Naturally,” was No. 1 for 16 weeks. He even sent an instrumental — the signature “Buckaroo” — to No. 1. The streak finally ended in October 1967 when his tribute to his fans, “It Takes People Like You (To Make People Like Me),” underachieved, stopping at No. 2. The next single, “How Long Will My Baby Be Gone,” went to No. 1, as did three more songs in 1969.
Damsel and I finally took the opportunity to visit the 
We toured the galleries and saw a virtual history of president Reagan as well as other things that interested him. We learned things we never knew about the life and interests of President Reagan. We also saw an exhibit of the Oval Room as it appeared in Reagan’s tenure. A number of docents stationed throughout the galleries answered questions and called our attention to special attractions. Left: The tail section of former Air Force One
We walked out into the garden on the west side of the library; a bigger-than-life bronze bust of the Gipper smiled down on us as we approached the Berlin Wall monument. An actual segment of the infamous wall stands tall and awe-inspiring in spite of the panoramic vista in the distance. A replica of the White House Lawn and walkway lead to the Reagan Family Tomb where one of the best presidents ever to hold the office lies in repose.
And now the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and openness. Some political prisoners have been released. Certain foreign news broadcasts are no longer being jammed. Some economic enterprises have been permitted to operate with greater freedom from state control.
[Organizer] Thomas Heidenberger lost his wife, Michele, that day. She was a flight attendant on a plane destined for Los Angeles that crashed instead into the Pentagon.