FRANK BORMAN VISIT IN 2008!
My career as a broadcast journalist has been an unusual one. There are many aspects about it that I have never BLOGGED about in the entire time that I have had my Website up. But among the many remarkable moments in my career was an event that took place in a small aircraft hangar in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The date was August 9, 2001 at 2:00 PM. Colonel Frank Borman had not spoken to the media much since he retired as Chairman, president and CEO of Eastern Airlines. I had read his biography "Countdown" (a must read) so many times that the book binding was coming apart. Today, I consider Colonel Borman both a friend and mentor. And he is a genuine American Hero. I find it more than coincidental that my large custom built shadow-box picture frame containing artifacts from our interview is in the repair shop until next week. In addition, last Friday I met a man who is a neighbor of The Bormans and he asked me to write down my name, my Website and contact information so he could mention our meeting. As if this wasn't enough, I came across the short film posted above. A graduate of West Point, Colonel Borman became a teacher, fighter pilot and a test pilot. When President Kennedy announced America's commitment to the exploration of space in 1961, a handful of men and women stepped forward to lead that charge and Colonel Frank Borman was one of them. He flew two of NASA's most dangerous missions: the Gemini 7 space mission over 14 days was to execute the first manned-spacecraft rendezvous in orbit with Gemini 6. Next, came Apollo 8, the first manned voyage around the moon that took Commander Borman and his his crew of Jim Lovell and Bill Anders a half-million miles through space. They were the first human beings to see the world in its totality during their Christmas Eve 1968 live broadcast to billions of people worldwide. Later, he was NASA's liaison with the White House for the Apollo 11, lunar landing mission. Borman was offered cabinet level positions by three American presidents, and he addressed the joint sessions of Congress twice. A down to earth man, he is a national treasure and I hope you enjoy this film clip.
posted by Michael Manning @ 12:00 AM
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12 Comments:
You DO lead an interesting life!
an awesome, and inspiring share.
i just love it when life gives you the signs, and it all clicks in.
here's to getting your treasures back from the shop.
ugh my puter is my baby!
I did enjoy it, a true hero!!
Thanks Michael..
I know my posts have been to political for some, I promise to get back to basics, soon.. unless I am curled in a fetal position after the election... LOL
Angie: It's a very brutal industry I chose at age 11 as a "blueprint" for my life and I mention this is in a taped interview that is parked over on my REEL Page at www.michaelmanning.tv. Many times, the accolades are heavier than the weight of my actual circumstances. But my deep Faith leads me to believe that one day it will all balance out. My interview with Colonel Borman bears witness that I have enjoyed many Blessings in my life and Frank is truly an exceptional man of Integrity.
Dari: I've spent 4 hours today with Windows support and we believe we have resolved many technical issues. I have Uninstalled so many senseless features I never use on my PC. But lol to you on your new BLOG Site! I'll add it today. :D
Green Tea: Like my late father, I am a very private person who tries very, very hard to sound out all points of view. Politics today has become a battleground filled with hatred. And I tend to walk away from all manner of proliferation of this hate that is bred between the two parties. It is interesting to note that Colonel Borman has never cared much for politics either. My convictions are my own and I try to simplify my life and the way I treat others by adhering to "The Golden Rule". Each person has their repective strengths and weaknesses, and I only hope that all Americans, regardless of political persuasion simply exercise their right to get out there and Vote. And I say this because the statistics show that more and more people simoly do not participate in this wonderful priviledge we are endowed with in this great land of ours. You Rock, Green Tea!! :)
What a thrill it must have been for you! Thanks for sharing!
Do you have a transcipt of the interview, and could you publish or post it?
Bud: I still have to pinch myself and ask, "Was that really me?" It was such an adventure!
p m: I have posted an abridged version in the archives of "THE INTERVIEW". I appreciate you asking, p m!!!:)
Hi Michael
The post was a wonderful read, particually the interview with your inspirational hero. I think we have lost that sense of believing in heroes haven’t we? Not that we believe in them to the extent we fail to acknowledge their fallibility and inclination to make occasional errors, but rather to believe in their example of service to humanity, in integrity, that bears witness to their lives. I think it’s what helps us cross over the threshold of hope into faith. It reminds me of my own heroes.
Posting about that era of of first space exploration brought back fond memories of that time. So to you could I also say, Good luck and God bless!
PS~ I fully support your insigtful comment about politics.
Best wishes
The man with his head in the clouds was down to earth...
Lindsaylobe: Ypu are spot-om! Frank waved off all my references to his cover photos on TIME, Newsweek and LOOK magazines. He warned his colleagues on subsequent flights not to become absorbed into the media circus that would forever change their lives. I found him to be as Honest as the day is long, devoted to his wife (Susan is Frank's high school sweetheart) and their grandchildren. "No more missions. Just enjoying being a grandfather", he told me. I wish we could get back to simple principles of living too, my friend. Thank you!!!!
D-Man: Frank merely sees himself as very, very forunate and not anyone special. I brought along photos of my model collection and he took great interest and said, "Would you like to see my model collection in the hangar?" We were descending the stairs. A man with his grandson looked up and his eyes teared up. He took off his hat and put it over his heart and stood at attention. We all had hamburgers afterwards at the airport cafe. I really like Frank and always had the highest respect for his achievements at Eastern, NASA and the US Air Force. Until recently, Frank trained young Air Force pilots and he is without a doubt a true Patriot!
Wow he sure has had an exciting life so far.
You must have been in space interviewing him.
Walker: I am one of the most Blessed guys on the planet. My first in-person interview was with the late Pan Am and Eastern Airlines Executive Marty Shugrue in 1994. Back in 1968, Marty was a Commander in the Navy and helped coordinate the Air-Sea Rescue of Apollo 8 containing Colonel Borman and crew after they spalshed down in the Pacific. And to consider that I sat with both Marty and Frank, well, life has been very, very good to me. Both men admired each other greatly! And in one of life's odd twists, both led Eastern Airlines!!~ :)
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