FROM: Terry Lynch@aol.com; POB 241035; Montgomery, AL 36124-1035 
Phone: (334) 272-4217 voice  (334) 277-3582 fax via arrangement

DATE:  July 22, 1998 

TO:  Letter to the Editor      

SUBJECT:  Alan Shephard: A Special Tribute

One day when there are colonies upon the Moon people will play 
golf under domes so huge they dwarf the Astrodome.  Very likely 
a Lunar country club will be named after Alan Shephard, the first 
American in space, the fifth man to walk upon the moon and the 
first person to ever swing a six iron upon the moon.

No greater tribute could be made to our astronauts, living and 
dead, then that we pursue the dream to build an international 
space station, to establish a colony upon the moon, to venture 
forth unto the planets and the stars, to go where no human has 
gone before.

In remembering Alan Shephard I would like to ask everyone to 
drink a toast to that dream, to support higher education and 
research and to support all projects aimed at increasing 
humanity's cooperation and presence in space.  It is far wiser to 
spend our money in developing that technology which will enable 
us to colonize the moon and planets, then to spend it upon 
weapons of mass destruction which may bring an end to humanity 
before we ever set foot upon Mars or other heavenly bodies.

Alan Shephard and the other astronauts who have pioneered man's 
presence in space all shared a vision, that their unique 
experience would one day be a common human experience.  Yet each 
time we cut back spending upon the space program we lessen that 
dream and set bit by bit aside, humankind's destiny to reach the 
stars.

Playing golf upon the moon may be a long time coming, but Alan 
Shephard knew that when humanity touches the planets and the 
stars he would bring all of himself, not just the scientific, 
technological part.  He would bring the serious side, the playful 
side, the introspective and the holy side.  To reach beyond the 
bounds of earth and touch the face of God, was Alan Shephard's 
dream.  Ours is to follow and expand humanity's presence beyond 
earth, that in so doing we grow closer to that love which is God.

Sincerely, Terry Lynch 
Montgomery, AL