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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Martha Courtney

I have been an avid flight and space enthusiast since childhood. My spouse submitted my name for inclusion on this display as a 30th anniversary present. My earliest recollection of anything flight related was in late 1962. It was a promotional ride from newly opened Dulles airport for an aerial sightseeing tour of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. I remember peering out the aircraft's window in amazement as Philadelphia unfolded below me. Many years later I would be living in Herndon Virginia, Dulles's back yard. Where at any given moment, I could look skyward and see aircraft comings and goings from Dulles itself, Ronald Reagan, BWI Marshall, Joint Base Andrews, and the nearby West Virginia National Guard airports. Special memories during that time include the space shuttle Discovery's fly-over and arrival at the museum as well as the museum's SR-71 arrival (sonic boom included!) in March 1990 in preparation for the building of the Udvar-Hazy Museum. Also, an occasional fly-over by Airforce One. Many of my work trips began and ended at Dulles. A number of them were on the majestic Queen of the skies Boeing 747. A few years ago, and as a special treat from my daughter, I was able to visit the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base where many USG aircraft go to retire as well as the aircraft museum there in Tucson Arizona.

Like many others, I grew up watching America's space programs Apollo, Soyuz, Skylab, space shuttle, and other exploration efforts successfully evolve and grow. I was able to proudly witness America's return to space with the recent successful and historic Artemis launch. With this launch and a few others, I was able to realize my dream of witnessing up close rocket launches. Although I was never directly involved in the space program, the agency I worked with for nearly 36 years relied upon the output of many of these space programs.

With my recent move to Melbourne Florida (Kennedy Space Center's back yard), I have been able to witness a number of rocket launches and regained my youthful amazement of all things related to flight and space. I am fortunate to help keep aviation history alive by volunteering at a warbird museum very near the space center. To me, this is a dream come true to be at such a rare cross roads where the memories and history of the aviation past, so closely intermingle with the present day and future of space.