“With courage, imagination, and the will to explore, nothing is impossible.” -Neil Armstrong-
Those were the words that stuck with me when I visited the Kennedy Space Center in Florida last week. I will make a banner of Armstrong’s quote to hang in my classroom. I will teach children about courage and teamwork. I will teach children about America and history.
Apollo 11, heading for the moon in 1969
I have much to tell. It’s a good story, and an important story.
My husband was a Naval Flight Officer, flying F-4 Phantoms in the 70’s. His squadron, VF-41, is a band of brothers. They have a reunion every three years. This reunion at the Kennedy Space Center was hosted by Jon McBride, a fellow squadron mate, and an astronaut. Jon is from my home state of West Virginia.
He told his story of a kid who loved planes, and his first time flying in a plane. The pilot did loops and other maneuvers, and Jon was hooked. After college he started his Naval career, and his first (and favorite) squadron was VF-41. He became an astronaut, and had the position of President of all the astronauts and cosmonauts.
I am humbled by this. Even more humbling is that many of his astronaut classmates were aboard the Challenger. His last flight was the previous one, and he knew Christa McAuliffe well.
Jon hosted a tour of the Kennedy Space Center. And, oh what a tour it was! We began in the main entrance.
Booster rockets
Then we boarded the bus. Jon was a great host, telling many stories. When he told his fellow squadron mates how astronauts fly a modified plane to simulate a space shuttle, there were plenty of oohs and aahs. They understood the modifications and techniques, like thrust reversal.
The first stop was the Apollo building, and the area where people watch a space shuttle take off. There are plenty of bleachers, three miles away from the launch pad. “You don’t want to be any closer that that”, said Jon. The area outside had a new monument to the astronauts who had landed on the moon, fifty years ago.
Monument to the astronauts who landed on the Moon
It is magnificent. The inscription says “The Eagle Has Landed.” How important it is to connect the eagle with this Apollo mission. The eagle is the bird of America, our symbol of freedom and bravery. Walking across the NASA emblem in the center of the yard felt like walking on hallowed ground.
There are no words to describe the magnitude of the enormity of size of components of the Apollo space program. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Saturn V Booster Thrusters
Saturn V
Jon and his squadron mates are knee-deep in discussion
The astronaut’s gloves look a little creepy
The space capsule reminded me of R2-D2
Our next stop was the Atlantis exhibit. The two movies educated people on the space shuttle and how it evolved. Picture a guy in the 1960’s flying a paper aircraft to his fellow brainy science teammates (who can think outside of the box) and telling them to figure out how to get this into space. The movies ended with the unveiling of the Atlantis.
Grown men cried. You could have heard a pin drop. No one realized the Atlantis – the real deal – would be there. Right there.
That evening we had dinner at the Valiant Air Command Museum. We had the whole place, with planes predominantly from Korea and Vietnam – the squadron’s era of aviation.
The F-4 Phantom.
I love this plane! It is an F-11 Tiger. It was parked at the entrance.
American history is important, and that’s much of what I teach to preschoolers. History builds pride and goodness, doing the right thing, and helping others. Our world needs a big dose of just that.
I will start teaching about the astronauts landing on the moon. We will learn about the moon. I will tell a Jennie “It happened like this” story, because I was there, fifty years ago.
Where will I begin? With the eagle, of course.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Sounds quite a visit!!
I was lucky enough to visit the Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena. That was awesome.
Space is the third to final frontier.
It was, Opher. Mars is next.
I got chills here, Jennie. I’ve been to Cape Canaveral and my parents allowed me to stay home from school for the launches, starting with Shepard. Hard to believe it was 50 years ago when Armstrong walked on the moon, eh?
It is very hard to believe it was 50 years ago. The space crafts are massive. You were lucky to see launches – wow! Thanks so much, GP.
Fantastic experience, Jennie, and if anyone can teach the kids some history so it impresses them, you can. Maybe a trip to the Smithsonian’s Air & Space Museum near Dulles Airport in DC will be in store. They have a space shuttle mock up (I don’t believe it’s an original) .looking forward to your ‘reports’. And, what a poignant quote. I will use it. 👍
Thank you, Steve. I have been to the museum near Dulles- quite remarkable. But, this one had much more behind it with bringing history to life. It was certainly an experience. I will jump into teaching this in November, and will keep you posted. I knew you would love the quote. 🙂
I repeated the quote to every group and asked who said it, N Armstrong or JK Rowling. Some guessed both, some guessed correctly and the rest now know 😊
Awesome!!! 😀
What an amazing and privileged experience, Jennie. The children will love reliving the experience through your eyes.
Thank you, Norah. It truly was. I wonder what piece the children will remember most. That’s always an exciting part of teaching.
Each may remember something different, something that spoke to them at the right moment.
Yes! And that’s how it is in teaching. 🙂
Exactly!
Jennie, I forward this to a friend, one of the ‘Bar Nighters’ and a Navy pilot bet, as well. He’ll enjoy it. Thanks for a great story. And, yes, KSC is a terrific place to visit.
That’s great, Steve. I imagine he will enjoy the story. Many thanks.
So very much to be proud of! We must never forget . . .
Hear hear!
Your kids are going to love that story. ❤
Thank you, Alethea. 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
I’m glad you had such a good time, Jennie. There are so many stories to tell. I love the quote you started with, and, for me, the emphasis is on “imagination.” I feel like we are reducing the role of imagination in everything these days, and I don’t think it’s a good trend. I’ve been to the space center, and it’s so hard to capture the scale of those exhibits. I thank your husband, and all the people he served with. We owe them a debt we cannot repay.
You hit the nail on the head with “imagination” and how important it needs to continue to be. That’s the whole foundation of learning. Rote learning breeds apathy, and even worse. These astronauts and the space crafts were truly inspiring. So is the quote. Thanks so much, Dan. 🙂 We do owe those who serve(d) a great debt.
Just awesome, Jennie, and so inspiring!
Thanks so much, Ritu. Like you, I love being inspired. 😍
🥰
Thanks Steve,
This a wonderful story in many ways. Great pilots, a great teacher and great aircraft and spacecraft.
A long time ago I did fly the F11 Tiger.
Wonderful plane.
Thanks again.
Jim
Thank you so much, Jim. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. You flew the FII? Wow! My best to you.
Jennie, Jim is my friend, a ‘Bar Nighter’, with a remarkable knowledge of, well, the world. He contributes heavily to our ‘Bar Night’ conversation.
He sounds like the best of the best – a Renaissance Man, and an everyday man, and a true friend. I would love to be at the bar and swap stories with you guys. Really. The tab is on me. 🙂
Oh, my, that would be an interesting evening, fun and informative.
Yes, indeed! 😀
The U.S. has an impressive record in their space program. I remember the Challenger failure – cried for those poor passengers who didn’t make it – but they have had many successes too, which are amazing.
Well said on all counts, Anneli.
Tnx, Jennie.
You’re welcome, Anneli.
How cool to get a guided tour from a man who was not only a colleague of your husband, but had travelled in space too. That’s something to remember forever, Jennie. Your school kids will love that story!
Best wishes, Pete.
You hit the nail on the head. I cannot believe this tour was conducted by a squadron mate, who was an astronaut. What a great guy. Yes, I will remember this forever. Steve will, too. And, I think I can teach some of this to my preschoolers. Oh, I forgot to mention that the night before the tour, Jon had everyone over at his house for dinner. He lives on the water with a straight shot view directly across to the shuttle launch. Wow! His daughter told us later how excited he was about this reunion. Best to you, Pete.
Jennie, how wonderful this is! Thank you!
Thank you, Charles. It will be on the top ten list of memorable events for me, and for Steve.
Maybe that quote explains why I’ve always loved the space program. What better way to represent that nothing is impossible. Wonderful post, Jennie. Hugs!
Yes!! You said it well. That quote should be plastered everywhere… because we all need to be reminded that nothing is impossible. Imagination is the foundation. So, now you understand why I teach preschoolers. Thank you, Teagan. ❤️
We took our grandchildren there in February while their mom was at a training. We all had a terrific time. I was amazed that they had so carefully designed a place to satisfy all ages. They even put a slide to get from one floor to another for kids (and my husband!) to use.
I’m so glad you were there. Did you go through the Atlantis exhibit, with the two films before unveiling the space craft? They really have done a superior job at their presentations and the space.
Yes. It was thrilling. What an exhibit.
Indeed!
Great post, Jennie. I can’t imagine how wonderful it was to be part of the tour by Jon. The fact that he and your husband were squadron mates makes it even more special.
Thank you, John. I want to say ‘yes it was wonderful’, but wonderful is an overused word and pales in describing the event. I know you understand. Jon’s daughter told everyone how much the reunion meant to her dad. Squadron mates are for life. Hmmm… sounds like something in a John Howell book. 🙂
My experience is most children love learning about history when we make it come alive. What could be more alive than this? Of course, when we are passionate about anything with children, they are hooked. Isn’t that the best feeling, Jennie? I see the excited look in their eyes, and I feel like shouting, “Hold on! I’ve got a big one!”😎
Exactly!! Making history come alive makes it exciting for children, and they remember. They really do love learning. It is the best feeling, Pete. When I bring my passion to school, great things happen. 😀
Of course, I’ve never seen you teach, but I can tell from the rich experiences which you share that your children are in the right hands.
That’s so nice, Pete. Thank you for your kind words. 😊
It looks and sounds like it was an amazing event. I got goosebumps! Starting with the Eagle is a great place to start.
It really was, Deborah. I think the Eagle is a great place to start, too. Then we’ll move to America, and then to the moon and space- with lots in between. I’m excited! 😀
Awesome post! Loved the Apollo pic and the Saturn V vid. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Kevin! I’m so glad you liked it.
Wow!! Jennie, what a superlative day and post! 😀😀 As a space nut I read this agog! How amazing to be part of a tour led by your husband with all these people with personal experience of the space program! Years of celebration and sadness! I loved the photos and videos, just awesome. Wow! How special to see the Atlantis unveiled. Overjoyed this morning to read about your special day … and I know you will bring the magic, fun and serious side of space to your classroom. You have the perfect start! 😀
Thank you, Annika! It was a day I will never forget. I was beyond humbled by the tour with the astronaut who was ‘there’ those many years ago, and just happens to be a friend and squadron mate of all the guys. Wow! I wish I had a video of the unveiling of the Atlantis. It was so well done that no one expected the real space craft would be there. The Apollo is where I will begin to teach children about the moon and space. I think we’ll have a 50 year Moon Party, and of course much more. 😀
Oh, your children are going to be BEYOND thrilled!!
I think so, Liz!
Thank you for the wonderful information, Jennie! Think in future i should head over to see this in real. Indeed, great experiences for the kids.Best wishes for the weekend! Michael
It is worth the visit, Michael. Pictures and words don’t do it justice. My best to you!
I belive you, Jennie! But the vids and images give a great overview too. Best wishes too. Michael
Thanks, Michael. I think they do. Hope you are enjoying the weekend.
Thank you i do, Jennie! Have a good start into the new week! Michael
😀
;-))
Very interesting, thank you.
AK
Thank you.