Tolv af de nulevende astronauter fra de amerikanske Apollo måne missioner, deriblandt Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, modtog på Apollo astronauternes vegne 2009’s Milton Caniff ‘Spirit of Flight’ Award i National Aviation Hall of Fame i USA den 17. juli i år, tre dage før 40-års dagen for den første månelanding i det magiske år 1969. Pantheon tegneren Milton Caniff, verdens-berømt for avis-serierne “Terry and the Pirates” og “Steve Canyon”, har fået en betydningsfuld pris opkaldt efter sig, så det er nærmest en gensidig ære, både for Caniff og hans tegneserier, og for astronauterne selv. En anerkendelse både af Milton Caniffs arbejde og astronauternes bedrifter.
fra http://nbaa.aero/events/amc/2009/news/20091022-nahf.php
Milton Caniff Spirit of Flight Award (…) is presented annually to a group or organization that has made a significant contribution to America’s aviation heritage.
fra http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=9af60125f851e81f662296c4f&id=797249cb5c&e=HA34LAeFkW
(June 17, 2009 – Dayton, OH) The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) annually presents the Milton Caniff “Spirit of Flight” Award to a group or organization in recognition for its exceptional contributions to the advancement of flight. The Apollo Crews will receive the 2009 award in part for their exemplary courage and dedication in successfully carrying out America’s ambitious goal of landing men on the lunar surface and returning them safely to Earth.
The Milton Caniff “Spirit of Flight” Award is among the featured presentations at the NAHF President’s Reception & Dinner, held in NAHF Learning Center and the adjacent National Museum of the United States Air Force on Friday, July 17th, 2009. The event coincides with the very weekend of the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. A capacity crowd is expected for this public National Aviation Hall of Fame celebration, including hundreds of industry leaders, government officials and aerospace enthusiasts from worldwide.
Twelve of the surviving Apollo astronauts will be onstage to receive the award from the NAHF Chairman of the Board and the NAHF President. The NAHF has invited the NASA Administrator-to-be to accept and speak on behalf of the Apollo Crews. The Apollo astronauts will then participate onstage in a panel discussion of their moon mission experiences, moderated by former ABC News “Good Morning America” host, David Hartman.
