Evening star., 1961-05-08
SHEPARD
Space Man Is Taken for UnscheduIed Visit
By Kennedy to Broodcosters' Convention

NOnILuucu FROM rHSL rage
pabilities in suborbital space
flight"
Comdr. Shepard was wearing
an olive civilian suit for the
ceremony. Although he and the
other six astronauts are career
military men, they have been
detached from their services for
duty with NASA and wear
civilian garb as a matter Of
policy.
At the conclusion of the cere-
mony in the rose garden. Mr..
Kennedy took the astronauts
into his office for a oSed-door
talk about last Fridays flight.
With them was Vice President
johnson. who is chairman Of
the National Aeronautics and
Space Council and co-author
Of the law creating Project
Mercury's parent organization,
NASA.
Mr.. Kennedy sat in his rock
ing chair, with Mr.. johnson at
his right and the seven space
men seated on sofas.
To obtain a complete record
Of what went on between 1924
and 10:49 am. EDT) last
Friday, Mr.. Kennedy would
have to hear from all seven
astronauts. Although Comdr
Shepard made the historic
flight, lis miles up and 800
miles downrange. each Of the
other six had a vital supporting
role in the mission.
Mrs. Kennedy POurs Coffee
While Mr.. Kennedy, Mr.
johnson and the astronauts
talked shop. Mrs. Kennedy
poured coffee for Comdr. Shep-
ards family. In this group were
his wife: his parents, Col. and
Of East Derry, N. H.; his sister,
Of East Derry. N. H.. his sister
Mrs. Alan B. Shepard. Sr.
wife's mother. Mrs. R. P
Brewer.
After about half an hour, the
meeting in the Presidents Of
flee ended. Mr.. Kennedy took
Comdr. and Mrs. Sheppard
with him to the Sheraton Park
Hotel, where the President was
to address the National Associ-
alton OF Broadcasters.
Mr.. Kennedy referred to
Comdr. Shepard In his intro
duetion as "the No. / Tv per-
former" who. the President
said. had obtained the great
est rating" Friday morning.
Responding to the loud cheers
of the radio-TV executives,
Comdr. Shepard said:
Il understand we have only
time for q few words. Thank
you very much for such a warm
welcome"
He, his wife and Vice Presi-
dent johnson were escorted Out
Of the hail with wild cheers
ringing in their ears. They
got into a car to return to the
White House for the start Of
the ride up Pennsylvania ave-
nue. to the Capitol.
Cheered by Crowd
The cheers Of the broadcast
ers were no wilder than those
Of the crowd that lined Penn
sylvania avenue for a first look
at this newest Of American
heroes.
Comdr. Shepard and his wife
sat on the top-well Of a white
convertible that led the the
convoy Of eight cars and two
buses from the White House
to the Capitol. Vice President
johnson sat between them or
the seat Of the convertible
Space Agency officials james
E. Webb and Robert r. Gilrutf
sat in front.
Two cars full Of newsmer
and one containing congres'
sional leaders followed th'
Shepard auto. Then came ;
car carrying the parents o
Comdr. and Mrs. Shepard.
Car No. 6 held Space official
Walter Williams and Hugh L
Dryden, and the eldest Of tn
astronauts, Marine 1t. Col. Johl
H. Glenn Of Arlington.
The seventh car was occupied
by Mrs. Gordon Sherman, sis
teri-n-law of the astronaut
and Air Force Capts. Virgil ]
Grissom and L. Gordon Coope
and Navy 1t. Comdr. M. Scot
Carpenter, astronaut team col
leagues Of Comdr. Shepard
The last car held DR.. William
Douglas, physician for tht
Astronauts, and the two re.
naming spacemen, Air Force
Maj. Donald K. Slayton anc
Navy Comdr. Walter M. Schirra
250,OOO on Hand
An estimated $50, 900 persons
lined up five deep, cheered anc
applauded as Comdr. Shepard
passed them at low speed. Thu
applause continued down tn,
line Of march as the othe
Astronauts rolled by.
The cavalcade reached tn,
! Capitol shortly before noon
Comdr. Shepard was ushereC
into the Old Supreme Cour
chamber to meet members o
Congress.
Even the semi-chaos of
, congressional reception did no
faze Comdr. Shepard, who's
reputation Is that Of a ''coo
character"
AS Representatives and 'Sena
tors milled around, trying +
shake the hand Of the hero
Comdr. Shepard and his wifi
stood in quiet. attentive self
composure.
While Comdr. Shepard wa
still at the Capitol reception