Tomorrow, July 16, is not only my son Tim's 27th birthday(!), it is the day 40 years ago Apollo 11 left on its historic mission to the moon.
July 20 will mark the 40th anniversary of man's landing on the moon.
So it is fitting, as you will now see, for CatholicVote.org to have unveiled its 3rd "Imagine" ad in Houston today, and it's just beautiful...
Here is an explanatory guest message issued at 2:30p today from retired astronaut Dr. Joseph Kerwin...
Dear fellow CatholicVote.org member,
In just a few days our nation will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the historic mission of Apollo 11 to the moon. While I never personally made it to the moon, I was privileged to serve as the first American doctor in space with Skylab 2.
Today I am honored to announce the launch of a new ad from CatholicVote.org....
As you read this, I am appearing alongside other retired astronauts along with CatholicVote.org President Brian Burch at a press conference in Houston. The reason for the media event is that the new CatholicVote.org ad (thanks to you!) will be running regularly on local Houston television stations for the next several weeks.
Joining me today at the press conference are retired astronaut Dr. Bill Thornton, and Mr. Gene Kranz - the Flight Director at Mission Control during the Apollo program, including the famous Apollo 13 mission. Mr. Kranz was played by Ed Harris in the 1995 Oscar award winning film.
Like you, I am a big fan of CatholicVote.org. Their new ad is already creating buzz in Houston, and I can't wait for the rest of the country to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 with this new ad.
Next Monday, media outlets around the world will commemorate the historic achievement of Apollo 11. The courage and dedication of the astronauts aboard Apollo 11, and hundreds of others involved in our nation's space program make me proud of our great country.
But most importantly, the achievements of the space program remind me of the potential of every human life.
In anticipation of the 40th Anniversary this Monday, CatholicVote.org is preparing to launch web ads across the Internet to promote their new commercial. This historic anniversary is a perfect opportunity to show America, and the world, the power of every human life.
CatholicVote.org needs your help to saturate the Internet next week. They have reserved ad space with the intent of promoting their new ad to millions of our fellow Americans. Please consider helping them out now.
This is a historic date, and an opportunity we can't afford to miss. Watch the new ad and be sure help my friends at CatholicVote.org.
Thank you for your prayers and support of CatholicVote.org.
May God bless you and your families.
A proud member of CatholicVote.org,
Dr. Joseph Kerwin
Astronaut-Scientist, Skylab 2
P.S. While Monday July 20 marks the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11, during my service at NASA I also had the privilege of participating in the effort to save Apollo 13. One of my responsibilities was to explain to imperiled Astronaut Jack Swigert how to construct a make shift carbon-dioxide scrubber that allowed the crew to continue to breathe.
Not everyone will get to walk on the moon. The creativity and resourcefulness that helped save Apollo 13 is a reflection of what happens throughout our world everyday. May we never cease to marvel at the gift, and potential of every human life.
"Imagine" ad #1, infamously rejected by NBC and CNN, yet viewed over 1.8 million times...
"Imagine" ad #2
[HT: Reader Mary Ann M.]
Comments:
Isn't it wonderfully inspiring to have a man like this lend his name to the cause. What a hero.
Posted by: Andy Moore at July 15, 2009 11:07 PMawesome!
Posted by: angel at July 16, 2009 6:08 AMI absolutely love it!
Posted by: NewMom at July 16, 2009 7:37 AMI LOVE it!
for anyone interested, slightly off topic......
wechoosethemoon.org has a recreated mission. you can follow the original Apollo 11 mission. don't forget the http://
Posted by: LizFromNebraska at July 16, 2009 9:50 AMSO moving!
Posted by: Pamela at July 16, 2009 12:21 PMSpeaking of anniversaries, for all Catholic readers, today,July 16, is the memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Happy Feast Day, Blessed Mother!
Posted by: Elizabeth at July 16, 2009 4:17 PMAs always, Catholicvote.org continues to impress!
A fantastic and pertinent ad. Always wonderful to see! :)
Posted by: MaryRose at July 17, 2009 12:23 PMHere's a comment (also transmitted to catholicvote.org) from a satellite communications expert, and congenital conservative prolifer. He passed on to me, his 4th kid, an avid interest in space exploration due to his own involvement with the field.
My sincere congratulations to Catholic Vote.org for their 'Imagine" ad series. Anyone not affected and influenced by the message probably is, at least temporarily and unfortunately, suffering from the absence of their soul.
I thank God for individuals like Dr. Kerwin and their ability and willingness to make significant contributions to society---not only during events like the "13" rescue, but for their broader impact on furthering human right to life.
From a peripheral vantage point, I can relate to Dr. Kerwin's experience with "13". I spent most of my communications electronics career with the company that has provided most of the telemetry and communications equipment for rocket launches over the past 50 years. Our on-board radio was used for the "13" ground to space link after the primary equipment designed for that purpose was wrecked by the fuel cell explosion.
On a hopeful note, there appears to be some controversy over continuing to use tax money to fund abortions, as Congress attempts to reform the U.S. health care system. Your excellent ad may well encourage the people involved to follow their consciences and common sensense in constructing a totally ethical plan.
Frank M. Brauer
M.Sc., P.E.