Friday, July 22, 2011

PFF and Sepia Saturday - BIG Step For Mankind

Postmarked on the Recovery Ship Hornet CV12 on July 24, 1969

 Our theme for Sepia Saturday is recognition of the amazing work of NASA's Space Program.  The first manned Lunar Landing in 1969 is something I will always remember.  Where I was and what I was doing:  My dad had the old black and white TV on a 40 foot extension cord in the driveway. He was doing an oil change on the giant blue Mercury station wagon and didn't want to miss a minute of Apollo 11and the first moon landing. I was on my way to the mall for some serious shopping - mini skirts and such - but I stopped to see what he was doing. Together we watched the grainy sights and crackling sounds of the landing.  A few days later I received the above envelope - Dad had thoughtfully sent one for each of his 7 children to be postmarked on the U.S. Navy Recovery ship Hornet!


 The Hornet CV-12

The Hornet is a recommissioned and renamed WWII Essex class aircraft carrier, and the eighth Navy ship to be given the distinctive name, Hornet.  She was originally named Kearsarge, but was renamed Hornet in honor of Hornet C8 which was sunk in 1942. 

Hornet CV-12 played a major roll in the Pacific during WWII, earning 9 battle stars.  She also served during during peacetime, the Cold War and Vietnam The Hornet then became the recovery ship for both manned and unmanned Apollo space flights.  This was not her first recovery assignment.  Hornet was part of the Operation Magic Carpet operation which brought hundreds of thousands of soldiers home after WWII ended.

Coming Home!  Operation Magic Carpet 1945/46


Recovered Apollo Space Capsule

The Hornet is now stationed in Alameda California as the USS Hornet Museum.  The exhibit includes the Apollo 11 Space Capsule

First Day of Issue - Man on the Moon
 My father had this First Day of Issue stamp, and postmarks and envelope sent to me in 1969 as well.





Footsteps and our Flag on the Moon




President Nixon greets our Brave Astronauts

Armstrong, Collins and Aldrin were put in quarantine  aboard the Hornet.  NASA wanted to be sure they only came back with Moon rocks.




 Where the Apollo Missions Left Footprints





A Pre-Apollo Space Shot for Postcard Friendship Friday
We've just this week come to the end of a great and exciting era. We'll always remember those brave men and women who traveled into the true unknown to explore and to advance our knowledge of the universe. Some came back,  others did not.
 For more Postcard Friendship Friday travel HERE

Sepia Saturday is a space shot away HERE


22 comments:

Little Nell said...

Wha a wonderful souvenir and what a thoughtful father you had. A very interesting post - and I love the two men in the moon on the last postcard!

Bob Scotney said...

That's a souvenir to cherish. In addition I liked the story of the Hornet - I would not have ever been aware of its role without this post.

Coffeedoff said...

Wow what a lovely post. I rember watching the moon landing too. It was so amazing.

Snap said...

Wow! How cool is that?!!!! A souvenir to treasure and memories to cherish. Mr. Dragon and I were lucky enough to be invited to a shuttle launch ... an amazing experience. So sad they are no more ... the only real research and development the US did. Happy PFF!

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

Wonderful memories and the paperwork to back it up! :) I can remember the moon landing very clearly.

Heather said...

Thank-you for sharing such a timely post. Very thoughtful of your father to arrange for the envelopes for you.

Funoldhag said...

What a great post! Nice to have my old mind nudged to remember some of the awesome things that have gone before. And thanks for deciphering the message on the card I found. Happy PFF and a good weekend! Carol

Tsang said...

These are really nice pictures. Interesting post, I sure learn something today. Thanks for the post

Alan Burnett said...

I just love the way you take us on a tour - starting with the theme and then moving from stage to stage, post to post, issue to issue : like joining the dots to create a wider picture.

Jinksy said...

I liked that last image best...Nostalgic!

Christine H. said...

What a collection. I particularly like the first-day cover.

21 Wits said...

Oh thank you, my goodness your post read like a magic carpet ride as well, but can you guess my most favorite of all the great photos is of the two men on the moon...the last closing photo is awesome! So awsome if it were me, I'd probably open the post with that one...it's great!

Tattered and Lost said...

Visited the Hornet a couple years ago. They have an old capsule on display (not the original) and the trailer they were kept in upon their return. It's docked permanently in Oakland, California.

Dorincard said...

Cool post, and funny, too! :) Lunar germs, eh?

Coffeedoff said...

The pink fountain card was sent from USA but is a picture of St Georges Cathedral in Russia (I think Moscow)

Aimee Dars said...

What a great memory and great souvenir!

PattyF said...

What a fantastic souvenir! Your father was indeed thoughtful and insightful. He knew it was history in the making and he gave each of you a piece of it. How marvelous! Thanks so much for a delightful post!

Mike Brubaker said...

Nicely done. Brought back the memory of listening to the radio when Armstrong walked on the moon. Our family was on summer vacation and camping. The radio report let my imagination see the event and made it that more vivid.

Postcardy said...

Your envelope is a great souvenir. I remember being fascinated by the TV coverage.

Bruno Laliberté said...

and here's a different angle to Alan's prompt!! very nicely done.
i love those first issues.
:)~
HUGZ

tony said...

The Hornet's Life Had A Pleasing Symmetry.Both World War 2 & The Moon Landings! A Knack For Being In The Right Place At The Right Time!

ChaChaneen said...

HI Cindy-Loo,

Came by for a visit and was happy to see your post about the Hornet! If you've read my blog this summer you'll see that I did a post about our day trip there and LOTS of photos! We thoroughly enjoyed it and I plan to return again.... without the kids, so I can really take my time and read all the exhibits because we didn't get to really do that with the kids in tow. ha ha

Have a great day!
Hugs!
Janeen