From Walt Murphy. Shared with permission (with minor editing from Fan Hub admin). Walt produces an info-rich daily ”This Day in T&F” newsletter. Contact him at waltmurphy44@gmail.com if you’d like to join his distribution list.
From Walt Murphy:
The Columbia Shuttle broke up “16 minutes from home” as it was finishing up its mission. Pilot Willie McCool, the former captain of the Naval Academy’s cross-country team, was one of seven crew members who perished on this day. Just a few days earlier, NASA officials in Houston had piped in John Lennon’s “Imagine” to the shuttle. After the song ended, McCool replied, “…that song makes us think that from our orbital vantage point we observe an Earth without borders, full of peace, beauty, and magnificence, and we pray that humanity as a whole can imagine a borderless world as we see it and strive to live as one, in peace…”
At the suggestion of Navy coach Al Cantello, a marker honoring McCool was placed on the Navy cross-country course at a spot where he would have been “16 minutes from home” in the best race of his career.
From Senator John McCain’s speech later in the year:
“Before inviting his cross-country coach Al Cantello to the Space Shuttle Columbia launch, Commander McCool sent a portrait of himself to Cantello with the following inscription: ‘Your coaching laid a foundation of discipline, drive and passion that has carried me across the many milestones of my life. With boundless appreciation, Willie.’ From that foundation, Commander McCool developed into a top-notch Naval Officer and served our country in an exemplary manner. On this Veterans Day, I humbly thank Commander McCool, and his family, for his selfless service and sacrifice for our country.”
From this article about the dedication of the Willie McCool Memorial Marker At The United States Naval Academy:
“In addition to his many accomplishments as a test pilot and astronaut, Willie was a graduate of the Naval Academy, #2 in his class, and captain of the Navy cross-country team. Shortly after the Columbia accident, Navy supporters organized a drive to place a memorial marker on the cross-country course where Willie had run his best time as a Navy runner.”
Rest in peace Willie McCool.
Very admirable. Thank you for sharing more about his story.