I would like to share something with you about Peter Werner

[snelsonbrown]

I just wanted each of you to know what Peter Werner has done - I touched on the subject lightly on the recommendation thread, but I feel he deserves a thread all of his own -
Several weeks ago, Mrs. Gus Grissom contacted me to order her memorial wreath for the Apollo One - after speaking to her in regards to her husband and his crew that were loss almost 37 years ago, she extended an invitation to Norm and I to attend the memorial and also anyone else that would like to attend since it has always been closed to the public - she also asked me at this time if I could sorta put things together since she was so far away - I knew we had to have music so I contacted a friend that is a bagpiper and of course John was very honored - the most frighting task was finding a Master of Ceremony - who was I going to get - I thought about it, prayed about it and then it came to me - Pete Werner !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - I contacted Pete and he was so gracious and so honored --at first I told him he was just going to speak then I had to break the news that he was going to have the job of MOC - after a mild case of the jitters, he has gotten it all together so beautifully - He has taken the burden off a number of people by accepting so graciously - He will be starting sometime after 5:30PM on January 27th, so will you please not only keep him in thoughts and prayers, but know also what a kind person he is - I am very honored and blessed to call him a true friend. This tribute to all the fallen space heros is a true beautiful and heartwarming speech.
So Pete thank you and I am so very proud of you. I knew you could do it.
Much love
Always
Shirley

 

[Verandah Man]

What an honor, I'm sure Pete will do a fine job and make everyone proud. Thanks for sharing this with us Shirley.

 

[tammy bell]

My prayers and pixie dust will go to Pete tomorrow . I am sure that he will do a great job. And how about a round of applause to you too. You took on a lot of responsibility. I love how you can make it sound so casual " sorta put things together". Good Luck but from what I have heard on these boards, you won't need it, you do everything just perfect.

 

[Magicboundagain4]

My families thoughts and prayers will be with Pete tomorrow as will pixie dust. Thank you Shirley for all you do as well...I am looking forward to calling you soon. Thank you. You are a very special person.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>That is so special. My thoughts will be with you, and many blessings.

 

[Dreamer04]

Wow Shirley! He must have been knocked off his feet! What a great guy, to come through for everyone involved.

I'll be keeping our heros in my prayers, as well as their families and friends. You are all devoted Americans.

Fondly,
Ursula

 

[HappyMommy2]

Fantastic!
Shirley, thank you to you and Peter for being a part of this noble piece of American history.

 

[NancyDVC]

Shirley,
My prayers go out to Pete and thanks to you both for helping to make such an event possible. At 5:30 tomorrow I promise to think of all of you.

 

[snelsonbrown]

I just wanted to take this time to thank everyone that has posted in supporting Pete as he faces this huge responsibility - He is quite nervous right now and he just needs to hear that so many are behind him - I do not know if he knows I posted this thread, but I am so very proud of the fact he had no hesitation when he agreed to do this - he will most likely choke me after it is all over, but I can't complain - he is a very nice and a very good person and this is why I have said what I have here -
Thanks for all your support - believe me I am not quite up to par either, but I know it will come off great.
Thanks again
much love
Always
Shirley

 

[Hans Solo]

To Pete

The Force will be with you. What a honor.

To Shirley

You're the greatist. What a honor for you and Norm as well.

 

[snelsonbrown]

Well here it is in the AM and it is storming outside - soooooooooo pray that things will get better weather wise - thanks again everybody. If Pete was nernous yesterday, I just hope he hasn't looked outside yet but with the weather here in Florida, if you don't like it, just stick around, it changes by the minutes
Will talk to all later
Much love
Shirley

 

[denise5374]

My thoughts are with you today! You will both do a great job!

Come on sun!!!!

 

[SideshowBob]

Cleared up nicely here... so hope so there, also.

Best of luck, Pete!!!

 

[Towncrier]

I'm so glad that I read this thread prior to the event. I will be thinking positive thoughts at 5:30PM and saying a prayer for Pete.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Prayers being said.

 

[Jeanny]

it's 5:30 ,,,, did it start yet??

 

[Towncrier]

I hope we hear from Shirley (or Pete) soon. I was channel surfing this evening and came upon a program on our PBS station that was produced some time ago by the Discovery Channel. The show was all about the Apollo program with a great deal of emphasis placed on the Apollo 1 tragedy. I was glued to the television for the entire hour. I was reminded of an airplane flight from Los Angeles to Cleveland where I had the fortune to sit next to one of NASA's chief engineers who worked on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and early shuttle program. He talked at length about how deeply it hurt the people of NASA when the three astronauts lost their lives in that fire 37 years ago. He spoke of having the astronauts over for barbeques and how his daughter cried when he told her the news of the tragedy. On the program tonight, I saw Mrs. Grissom at her husband's funeral and I immediately thought of this thread and the awesome responsibility that Pete faced today. Thank you Shirley and Pete for paying homage to one of America's true heros.

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Just another DISer who was thinking about Shirley and Pete today.... I think more than anything, people find it comforting to know their loved ones will not be forgotten and that how we lived and out time spent here makes a difference. How wonderful that they were able to put together a program for today to help us all remember.
Kathy

 

[snelsonbrown]

Thanks everyone for all the thoughts and prayers - to try and explain the impact of everything that happened yesterday would take a book and a long time to write it - Pete and his crew which total about at least about 15 or so met me at the shop - Dawn (disneygal58) and her daughter came, the mayor of Cape Canaveral, Cheryl who is head of Sun Cruz here in Port Canaveral and some of her staff, my son and his wife, Norm and I, plus a number of other folks that were invited came - there wasn't a large crowd - it keeps getting smaller each year - We were escorted by Dr. Witt from the Air Force station accross the wilderness of NASA - when we drove up to pad 34 - everyone was in awe - THIS WAS IT - THIS WAS HISTORY STARING us in the face - Mrs. Grissom and her two sons Mark and Scott were there - Scott looks more like his dad then Mark - in fact a spliting image -
Everyone was introduce to them - the cermony started at 6pm with Pete reading his speech that was overwhelming and so powerful - brought tears to the eyes - after this a real recording of the Columbia crew was played (there is no electric out there any longer so we used my son's car CD) - you can hear the Columbia crew having such a good time - and then Houston begging for them to come back to them - then silence. She was loss - it brought back many memories for everyone there that knew the loss of the heroes - at this time John played the bagpipes through the minutes passed 6:31PM which after Peter introduced the Commander of the Space Group and then Mr. Kennedy with NASA - after their speech, the Chaplain closed the ceremony with prayers - I can not describe what is meant to be there - I can not describe to what the feelings were to be standing under pad 34 - I can not describe what it felt to see the skies bursting with every color of the rainbow as the sun set - everything went well beyond beautiful - Pete did a job that everyone could be so proud of -
Thank you Peter - what a blessing to call you friend.
Now I know why Dreams Unlimited is so successful - they have a heart and I saw it proven last night.
Thanks again for your support - it really took a lot out of all of us.
Now please be aware, that we have been asked to plan next years - do I believe it is worth it - well I will tell you this - reading about it and being a part of it is two different stories.
Always
Shirley

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Shirley, that sounded so beautiful. This time of the year is so sad. I hope we all take the time to remember those who have been lost and their friends and families who carry on.