Tallassee Page 4 • March 9, 2016
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Mitchell memorial event was a 'tribute' not a 'service'
he passing of Apollo 14 Lunar Module Pilot Edgar Mitchell was noted in this space three weeks ago. I was able to attend a memorial tribute to the legendary astronaut in West Palm Beach on Feb. 23. Obviously, it’s a long trip from Tallassee to that part of Florida, and I’d made that journey before (to interview Mitchell) in a single day in 2010. This time I decided to take things a bit easier, traveling as far as Orlando on the first day, then the remaining 160 miles on the Florida Turnpike the following morning. If an out-of-towner is looking for a particular venue, it’s always a good idea to find the site ahead of time, if said outof-towner arrives early enough. So about three hours before the memorial tribute, I located the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, nestled inside Dreher Park beside I-95. The museum was hosting a temporary exhibit of life-size dinosaur models (some of which had motion capability). Guarding the outside entrance was a Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus, the biggest carnivore ever discovered by pale-
the two lunar travelers converse; theirs is one of the most exclusive clubs in history. As more guests arrived, the skies darkened and ultiBy Willie G. mately unleashed a cloudburst just before Moseley the scheduled starting time. After a delay of ontologists (so far), its 45 minutes, the tribute huge crocodile-like snout began, as attendees hudopening and closing in a dled towards the center menacing manner. of the tent in an attempt Sightseeing was a to avoid the drenching viable option to kill rain and wind. some time, so I puttered Family members of along Highways 1 and the other two crew memA1A through downtown bers of Apollo 14 (both West Palm Beach and as also deceased) made far north as Jupiter until the pilgrimage to the it was time to change tribute. Laura Shepard clothes and return to the Churchley, daughter museum. of mission commander A large, temporary Alan Shepard, and Allen outdoor tent had been Roosa, son of Command erected outside, and its Module Pilot Stu Roosa interior featured a stage were introduced, as was displaying images of Rick Armstrong (son of Mitchell and his crewNeil Armstrong of Apollo mates, as well as appro11), along with NASA priate decorations. dignitaries and elected Among the earliest government officials. persons to arrive was And it needs to be Apollo 17 Lunar Module pointed out that this event Pilot Harrison “Jack” was indeed a “memoSchmitt, one of the last rial tribute” instead of two people to walk on a “memorial service.” the moon. Not long Mitchell was agnostic, afterwards, Apollo 13 and no allusions to reliLunar Module Pilot Fred gion were heard as famHaise was escorted to the ily members and friends tent; Haise was one of recalled his unique life. the scheduled speakers, There were three but Schmitt’s attendance speakers, including was a surprise to the Haise, who received a delighted organizers. It standing ovation when was fascinating to watch he strode to the podium
The SoCalled Column
to recall his close work with Mitchell in the development of the Lunar Module at the Grumman factory on Long Island. Six other family members and friends gave brief quotes by Mitchell, including a formidable and on-the-money indictment of politicians. Songs were presented by a choir known as the Young Singers. The rains finally ceased around the time the tribute finished. The guests migrated outside the tent to gaze upwards to the overcast skies. After a few moments, four side-by-side jet fighters roared into view. One of the airplanes swooped upwards in the classic “Missing Man” maneuver and was quickly enveloped by the gray void. That’s the first Missing Man ceremony I’ve ever witnessed (and heard) in person. It was an incredibly powerful experience. To anyone who met him, Ed Mitchell was an unforgettable individual, for more than one reason. Most of the attendees at his memorial tribute would probably agree that the event was well done, befitting his distinct personality in an appropriate manner. But for me, it wasn’t just about remembering a person, it was about remembering history.
Willie Mosely / The Tribune
Above, Apollo 13 Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise was a scheduled speaker at Apollo 14 Lunar Module Pilot Mitchell's ceremony. Top, Apollo 17 Lunar Module Pilot Harrison "Jack" Schmitt also attended the ceremony.
Keep your eyes open, signs are all around us
I
’d struggled mentally, physically, and emotionally for quite some time when in early December I finally swallowed my pride and went to the VA in Tuskegee. When I returned from my last deployment five years ago, I went to the VA in Birmingham and had a negative experience with my doctor on my initial visit and never returned. My experience in Tuskegee was very different from the start. The enrollment clerk was very pleasant, and, as mentioned in an earlier article, the first available appointment just happened to be the very last slot on Christmas Eve. I truly believe that was a gift from God. That was a sign. I really liked my doctor. When I walked into his
JODY FULLER Guest Columnist
office, the first words out of his mouth were “War Eagle.” I was wearing an Auburn jacket. Our relationship was off to a great start. He’d spent 10 years as a flight surgeon in the Air Force. Whether I told him about my migraines, my sleep issues, or my allergic reactions to Bama fans, he was there to help me. Unlike the guy in Birmingham, he actually cared. His name was Dr. Canfield, and he would have been my primary care physician from that point on,
THE TALLASSEE TRIBUNE (533-160) is published weekly on Wednesday by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., 301 Gilmer Ave., Tallassee, AL 36078. Periodical postage paid at Tallassee, Alabama. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Tallassee Tribune, 301 Gilmer Avenue, Tallassee, AL 36078. ISSN # 2150-3982. We reserve the right to refuse to print any advertisement, news story, photograph or any other material submitted to us for any reason or no reason at all. •Obituaries - $0.25 per word with a $15 charge for a picture. Obituaries can only be accepted by the funeral home handling the arrangements. The Tallassee Tribune does not accept obituaries from individuals. •Weddings/Engagements/Birth Announcements - $0.25 per word with a $15 for a 2 column, color photo. • One year $25 (In Elmore County, Tallapoosa County and Notasulga) Elsewhere $38 The publisher reserves the right to change subscription rates during the term of subscription with a 30-day notice. The notice can be mailed to the subscriber, or by notice in the newspaper itself. To subscribe or if you missed your paper, call David Kendrick at The Alex City Outlook: 256-234-4281. © 2015 Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved and any reproduction of this issue is prohibited without the consent of the editor or publisher. Kenneth Boone, Publisher Mitch Sneed: Editor editor@tallasseetribune.com • 256-234-4281 Corey Arwood: Reporter corey.arwood@tallasseetribune.com • Ext. 102 Carmen Rodgers: Reporter carmen.rodgers@tallasseetribune.com • Ext. 101 The Tallassee Tribune is contract printed each Tuesday evening in Alexander City, Ala. by Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. 256-234-4281.
but he was getting ready to retire from the VA. As far as I know, that was his last day of work. Perhaps it wasn’t, but it was the last time I saw him. I’m just glad I got into the system with him. That was a sign of good things to come. He told me he was opening a private practice in Auburn. I wish I’d gotten his number. Two months later, after years of procrastination, I visited the Veterans Service Office at the Lee County Courthouse. If I was just looking for a check, I would have been there years earlier, but after all my years of service including three tours in Iraq, it was time. The aches and pains, mental and physical, were almost too much to bear at times. Some of my peers had begged and
pleaded for me to go. I had a great meeting with the veterans service officer and had actually met him years ago before he held this position. That, too, was a good sign. Later, I drove through downtown Opelika and stopped at Dorris Sign Co. to talk to my friend LaGina about having T-shirts made. I believe in figurative signs, but they believe in literal signs. It’s what they do, and they do a great job. We looked at different colors and different styles, and then she pointed at one hanging on the far end of the wall. I walked down to take a look. It was a nice T-shirt, but that’s not what caught my attention. I looked down on the table in front of me. It was a sign—literally and figuratively. It was the only
sign there, and it could have been made any day in the past or any day in the future. In fact, I don’t know when it was made. The only thing I know is that I didn’t have to stop that day and he could’ve used any sign company in the area. The sign was for Dr. Canfield. It also had his phone number. Like I said, I believe in signs. Keep your eyes open. Signs are all around us. Jody Fuller is a comic, speaker, writer and soldier with three tours of duty in Iraq. He is also a lifetime stutterer. He can be reached at jody@jodyfuller.com. For more information, please visit www.jodyfuller.com.
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SCV organization does significant community work Dear Editor, It doesn’t require a brilliant mind to distinguish between heritage and hate. Only deeply prejudiced persons would not differentiate between a historical honor society like the Sons of Confederate Veterans and groups that abuse Confederate flags to intimidate others. Mr. Dean is obviously a product of hateful resentment directed toward the Confederate flag by the media and those authentic hate groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center whose mission is to stamp out any vestiges of southern history and heritage. The insults don’t bother me, they are badges of honor for standing up for what’s right, but to call our Confederate ancestors traitors are fighting words. Our Confederate ancestors fought for independence from an oppressive central government and had the constitutional right to secede. Has it ever crossed Mr. Dean’s mind that President Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee were never tried for treason? Such a
spectacle would have exposed the fact that the South had the constitutional right to secede, and still does? I do not know Mr. Dean and I guess it is because I have never seen him at any of the meetings of the Talisi Historical Preservation Society, Friends of Tuckabatchee or even one of the Community Development Corporation. Possibly, his time is too valuable to sacrifice for community service, but if involved as I, he would know that the Sons of Confederate Veterans replaced all the windows in the Confederate Armory and donated $5,000 toward the new roof. A group of SCV members helped the historical society load 66 tons of scrap metal at the old mill site which produced $3,200 for armory restoration. The Armory property has recently been conveyed to the Tallassee Redevelopment Authority, but the THPS still leases the property. This arrangement allows the City of Tallassee to make repairs and maintain the grounds of the Armory. Previously, the SCV did most of this work. The new
SCV Headquarters in downtown Tallassee will serve as an interpretive center for the promotion of Tallassee’s rich Confederate history and will bring positive attention to our continued efforts to preserve the armory. As far as flying a proper Confederate flag, the armory would have flown the third national flag which still incorporates the St. Andrew’s cross in the upper left corner. In downtown, the Tallassee Armory Guards will fly the SCV logo flag on a daily basis, but may fly other flags on certain important historical dates. These could include the state of Alabama flag, the Great Seal of Alabama Flag, the Bonnie Blue Flag and all of the Confederate flags. When appropriate, like on the fourth of July, we may fly the U.S. Flag. Fred Randall Hughey Commander The Tallassee Armory Guards Camp 1921 Sons of Confederate Veterans
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