Guest #1 December 4, 2002 Historical note: Betty Grissom sued North American Aviation over Gus' death in the 204 ("Apollo I") launch pad fire. Betty Grissom also recently departed from the Board of Directors of the Astronaut Hall of Fame over their refusal to include Roger Chaffee. Their justification was that Chaffee never flew. Betty countered that he was still an astronaut. I think Betty is in the wrong in this latest dispute. My reasoning: Yes, it was the suit Gus wore on Liberty Bell 7, but it is an important historical artifact (and US govt property), not a garment like his Bermuda shorts or something. I think NASA didn't ask for it before out of respect for Betty; that and not wanting to be portrayed as jerks. Opinions? NASA, Family Fight Over Spacesuit "The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #2 December 4, 2002 Well, if they actually borrowed it and didn't return it then this is a no brainer in my opinion. NASA had it. Out of good will they loaned it back to the family. They didn't return it? That's theft. Now, I don't like the last bit about how much the widow of an American Hero is getting for his sacrifice. That just seems weak. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #3 December 4, 2002 She settled out of court with North American for $200,000; a tidy sum back in 1968. Yes, her loss was horrifying (Ed White's wife committed suicide in the 1980s), but it still doesn't justify her keeping that which does not belong to her. I'm hoping some kind of compromise can be reached; e.g., it remains the property of the people of the US (id est, the taxpayers who funded its construction), but it is donated or displayed in the location of the family's choice, in a charitable manner. This will eliminate the appearance of conflict of interest on both sides."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #4 December 4, 2002 Good idea. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MyUserID 0 #5 December 4, 2002 Hehe, i used to work at the Astronaut Hall of Fame on the Space Camp side. We used to say that that suit was haunted. There were all sorts of spooky stories about that place. Too bad the camp went out of business, i loved that job!! ------------------------------------------------------ Remember kids, eagles may soar, but at least weasels dont get sucked into jet engines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keith 0 #6 December 4, 2002 Quote I'm hoping some kind of compromise can be reached; e.g., it remains the property of the people of the US (id est, the taxpayers who funded its construction), but it is donated or displayed in the location of the family's choice, in a charitable manner. This will eliminate the appearance of conflict of interest on both sides. Sometimes you just make too much sense Mark Keith Don't Fuck with me Keith - J. Mandeville Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
