Painting: Oil on Canvas

Painted: 1999

Size: 14” x 18”

Owner: In storage                                                                                                                                                          

Music Selection: “Rocket Man” by Elton John

I grew up during the space race. I watched the tragedy of Apollo-one and later the Challenger.  I know where I was in both disasters. I watched the first man step on the moon and walk in space. Many test pilots thought this group was no more than cargo. The slur was, “Even a monkey could be launched into space and come home.” Chuck Yeager once said, “Yeah… but a monkey does not know he has ten tons of dynamite strapped to his ass.”  These men risked their lives to be the first. Sadly today, we think bravery consists of using the proper pronouns.