Chapter 419 Honors Astronauts at Christmas Banquet

January 10, 2012 – EAA Chapter 419 (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) celebrated not only the holiday season, but also two of its most well-known residents at its annual Christmas Banquet recently. In recognition of the NASA space shuttle program ending 2011, Chapter 419 honored astronauts Dr. Rhea Seddon and Robert Lee “Hoot” Gibson and presented them with a very unique trophy, as you see in the photos below. Read more from the Murfreesboro Post

Attendees in a packed Donald McDonald Hangar enjoyed EAA Chapter 419’s annual Christmas Banquet at Murfreesboro Municipal Airport on December 3.

The evening’s guests of honor were married astronauts Robert Lee “Hoot” Gibson and Dr. Rhea Seddon.

Seddon and Gibson were presented with the Commemorative Award, a space shuttle crafted in brass wire frame. Presenting the award was NASA’s Bob Schwinghamer (with microphone) and EAA Chapter 419’s Dave Swindler, who made the award.

Stand back! The rocket motors are all burning for launch!

Of course, the main fuel tank detaches, leaving the orbiter free to roam the sky with the rockets burning.

More than 100 attendees marveled at the night’s festivities, enhanced by the five LED lights glowing from the wire frame shuttle.