Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jun 28, 2005 17:57:05 GMT -6
Captain Lovell's Statue Unveiling - 28 June 2005
Sometimes, it's a fine line between reporting a story and sharing the event experience. I did both this day. The following is my account of the special day at the Adler...
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I put on my press credentials and Adler ID to cover this great event at the Adler. It's a busy day for me, with many appointments to meet, but I couldn't miss this.
Parking is always a challenge at the Adler, but this day there were no legal street parking spots to take due to special summer events going on. Thank goodness for Press Vehicle permits! I park amongst the major news media and venture in. I see familiar faces in the Adler and always stop to say hello and chat. I snake upstairs and confronted with quite a sizable group of people. Media, Board Trustees, politicians and friends of the Adler. At this point, I regretted not dressing up more formally, but alas, it will have to do.
Trying not to be too obtrusive and with minor flak, I had a friend and Adler Trustee take this image of Captain James Lovell and myself. I am quite happy rubbing elbows with Lovell as you can see, and he is as friendly and personable as anyone can imagine.
Grabbing me a Mimosa, I mingle and meet old friends and hopefully make new ones. Capt. Lovell was shadowed by a large body guard who would size everyone up, including myself, but he was cool.
The large group of dignitaries and reporters proceeded from the reception area to the main entrance of the Planetarium, where it was transformed into a mini staging area and with the statue concealed behind heavy blue curtains. Here, we took our positions and anticipated the start. I sat in the press section, which were really pretty good seats, a scant few feet from the stage and Capt. Lovell.
We watched a video presentation of his life and career and it was nice seeing him in action...from his boyhood thru Gemini right to Apollo...with the actual person sitting not five feet from me. I observed Capt. Lovell as the video played. Pictures of his mom, boyscout troop, lift-offs and space life brought smiles to his face. Here he is explaining how important it is to spark the interest in young people in order to carry on the space program.
Then a countdown of the grand unveiling commenced from a count of 10. And at 0, the heavy blue curtain dropped and revealed the impressive statue, bathed with stage lights and music for dramatic flair. A round of applause sounded through the hall with Lovell gazing at the work for a few quiet moments, and admiring the 7 foot tall piece.
This was Lovell's first finished view of the work, and he stated that he did not want the usual mock pose with helmet under his arm and saluting the flag with the other. In this work, he's in his flight suit, covering up the Earth with his thumb, displaying the frailty of our tiny planet. It's a combo interpretation of Apollo 8 and Apollo 13. Here he is displayed in an open LEM, looking out the triangular window, holding his flight book and just floating above the LEM deck...with space glove floating. There is an inscription along side the statue of Lovell's famous quote, “I have seen the Earth as it truly is…a grand oasis in the vastness of space.”
His Gemini capsule will be on temporary loan and displayed at the Adler next year, along with many of his personal space faring artifacts donated permanentlyy to the museum. I anticipate the arrival of of these items and hope to report on the event.
Astronaut Lovell answered questions, posed for pictures and was a pleasure to meet and talk to. He was there with his wife and family to celebrate his life accomplishments.
With the tv cameras jockeying for close-up shots and preparing to interview Lovell, I scouted around for news bite opportunities and camera angles. Not wanted to interfere with camera shots. I navigated quickly around the statue and snapped some shots. I then retreated to a safe position and observed.
As I was chatting with the President of the Adler Board, Mr. Paul Knappenberger, I noticed remarkably that Lovell was alone for a moment. I saw an opportunity to take a one last shot of the astronaut and myself...and I took it. I found someone who looked like he knew his way around a camera and gave him mine, and then asked both gentlemen to pose for this shot. "Of course" they said.
Here are Captain Jim Lovell, myself and the President of the Adler Board of Trustees, Paul H. Knappenberger Jr. Yep, that's me with my arm around an astronaut...
I thank the unknown cameraman for taking the shot.With that, I was running late for my next appointment, said my goodbyes, and headed to the north suburbs of Chicago. I was quite content on finally shaking Jim Lovell's hand and engaging in small talk with him. It was a great morning to share and be part of and thank the Adler Planetarium for the opportunity.... I wouldn't have missed it!... ;D
