Take on last look at what America was when men had morals, vision, dreams. now we don't know each other and don't care. the family as we knew it, is no longer there..thanks Wally for giving us somthing to remeber.

Walter Schirra,one of seven, who always seemed like members of our family with two young sons. We watched all the early flights, keeping older son Tom home from school to watch the launches. As a Scout he wrote for and received all the original 7 portraits, which he mounted as a Scout project, and later entered into the scrapbook - a treasure of beginning space flights.
All 7 original astronauts were a very important phase of family life and growth of our young sons.
God's Peace, Walter Schirra!

One comment first, a comment on the women astronaut who drove cross country, the woman obviously has a mental issue, that could have ended with a death, or haven't you seen enough of that in the past few weeks. Mental illness is a serious matter and needs to be taken seriously, continued ignorant comments create a stigma and prevent people from seeking help.

As for the pioneer astronauts, one can only imagine for a better word the guts of being the first to blast to the unknown. These men had a will of pure steel. And I think of men like Chuck Yeager and John Glenn.

There was something about those early 60's astronauts that blended right in with the Ford Galaxy, the Dick Van Dyke Show, Walter Cronkite and Tang. I don't remember feeling the disconnect from those space people that I do from the current crop. Maybe it was the time, but I think it was the people and Wally was one of (us) them.

The spirit of the first seven, the next nine, and so on, will all be waiting and praying for the future generations of test pilots and scientists who train to go into space in this new century. The Russians are still our friends and space faring neighbors so cooperation must continue for the sake of Wally Schirra and those who ventured into space years ago...

Not just a giant American Hero,but a Hero to all of mankind.Warp speed sir!

We placed a heavy burden upon the shoulders of such men. We made them our heroes. Just as the members of the original Mercury astronauts who went before him, Wally Schirra will be missed. Now, only two remain among us John Glenn and Scott Carpenter.

Mr. Barbree, I envy you. You had the priviledge of knowing these men personally, but you shared that experience with the rest of us in an honorable fashion.

As others have noted, such heroes seem absent from American life today. In many respects, things are no longer A-OK.

The names of the heroes who have gone into space are all etched in our minds. Wally Shirra was one of the best. But they are fleeting visitors into the realm of Jay Barbree. Sir, you have been the one constant throughout so many of our lives when learning about the space program. Thank YOU for being a great educator, supporter, and companion though the highs and lows. You have certainly carried a great responsibility well through your distinguished career. Carry on Sir!

I was fortunate enough to meet Wally Schirra when he spoke at an event several years ago. He autographed my copy of his book, "Schirra's Space." In the book, he had written about how, whenever a fellow astronaut asked, "Are you a turtle?", you had to reply, "You bet your ass I am!" regardless of who else was around. So during the Q&A portion of his speech, I couldn't resist. I stood up and said, "I have to ask you this… Are you a turtle?" He smiled and bellowed a laugh and responded, "You bet your ass I am!" Everyone else in the room looked at us like we were nuts, but I was proud to have shared that moment with a legend.

Cool is as cool does and Mr. Schirra was definately kewl as is/was all of our space pioneers....It took a lot of guts, more than I could ever hope to have, to do what they did for all mankind. I for one will miss him....alot

Mr. Barbree -

What a lovely tribute to Wally Sshirra. Thank you so much for putting it on the blog, and thank you for all your fine reporting from the beginning of America's space age.

Thank you for your wonderful rememberance of Wally Shirra. I remember watching him and Walter Cronkite during the Gemini and Apollo missions; Wally always looked like he was having the time of his life.
We are losing our heros to fast these days; I know there will be four Mercury Astronauts waiting at gate along with Saint Peter to welcome him.

Wally Schirra, a great naval aviator and a gutsy man will always be remembered for putting the US Space program back on track after the Apollo 1 fire. Thank you for your leadership, bravery, and your abilites!

The passings of men like this always make me think of one particular question, "Where have all the adults gone?" While I'm not trying to make him into a saint or pull out the "Greatest Generation" stuff, I sure don't think we see people who encapulate what these men did stood for (or tried to). I have looked up to them since I was a kid, but I don't know who there is today for kids to look up to in the same way. We have become too vulgar and cynical to dream about great feats, or so I fear. I hope we can live up to their legacy. Godspeed, Capt. Schirra

We are losing our childhood heroes and role models so quickly now. Wally was one of those people so many of us wanted to be like when we grew up...it's a sad day.

As one of the original seven astronauts, Wally Shirra was an inspiration to me and other young wannabees back in the 60's and 70's. He and his teammates exhibited a professionalism, confidence, and can-do attitude unmatched by any before or since and demonstrated in dramatic fashion how teamwork, a passionate commitment to your goals, and a vision of the future can achieve near miracles. They literally encapsulated the American Dream: The Sky's The Limit! An authentic American Hero, he will be greatly missed.

I feel sad that I've forgotten this name from my history books. I remember studying the space program in middle and high schools - how could I have forgotten Mr. Schirra's name and his contribution to our nation's history? My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

I am sure, Jay, you must know the story of Henri Landwirth, innkeeper to the astronauts. He was a holocaust survivor and went on to found Give Kids the World Village in Kissimee, Florida. It is where Make-A-Wish kids, like my son, stay when they get their wish to see Disney World. He is a fantastic man who did his first wish-granting from that same hotel where the astronauts would stay before launches. All of the Mercury Seven guys were on the board of Give Kids the World. As a matter of fact, Henri Landwirth would be a great subject for the "Making a Difference" segments.

We treasure moments such as you described. It is even more uplifting when carried out by a 'great man' who really didn't know he was great!

I was 12 when Wally first flew in Sigma 7. His, and the adventures and those of the other six astronauts, are what inspired me to become an astronomer and follow them into space. I never made it to space but their memory will continue to inspire me until I join all of you '...directly'.

Tom Arnold

Great tribute by Jay Barbree to one of the last of our great American heroes. He may have worn diapers, but you didn't see Wally (or John Glen) driving cross country nonstop, sending nasty emails or trying to kidnap someone. The original astronauts were a lot better than this latest crop of space shots.

Thank you Mr. Barbree. You are as esteemed as any of our Space heroes - - and a superior journalist. Can we see more of you on NBC?

I remember Wally and Walter Cronkite wringing their hands during the moon landing. I hope he took some Sudafed with him to heaven. He was the last of a breed.