Apr 19 1970
From The Space Library
U.S. observed national day of prayer in gratitude for safe return of Apollo 13 astronauts. In New York 150 persons attended sunset service at Temple Emanuel. Invocation of gratitude was added to Sunday mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, expressing hope that space exploration would contribute to peace and welfare of mankind. Greek Orthodox Primate of North and South America, Archbishop Iakovos, delivered special message for faith's Palm Sunday observances. He said he believed "God permitted the agony of these last four days" to aid men in "overcoming the temporal with the spiritual, the temporary with the eternal." Church and interfaith councils in St. Petersburg, Fla., made combined appeal for prayer' in area churches and kept chapels open during day. In Marietta, Ohio, Jaycees completed petition containing 50000 signatures, opposing efforts to ban prayers in broadcasts from space. Petition was later presented to space officials in Washington, D.C. Gov. Nelson D. Rockefeller proclaimed "day of prayer. and thanksgiving" in New York State. Sen. Margaret Chase Smith (R-Me.) said crisis refuted claims that space exploration dealt. fatal blow to religion. "The manner in which great numbers of Americans attended special prayer services... has been inspirational." J. F. Meredith, treasurer of Central State Conference of the Seventh Day Adventists, said in Kansas City, "We feel that this points up the fact that despite all of man's knowledge and ingenuity there is still a supreme being in control of things, and that we have to trust him." (NYT, 4/20/70, 28; 4/19/70, 54)
President and Mrs. Nixon and party of Apollo 13 astronauts and families attended services at Kawaiahao Church in Honolulu commemorating National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving [see April 17]. President said: "There are very deep ideological differences that divide the world today. But when it was learned that these men were in danger, there poured into the White House from all over the world messages from the Communist countries, from people of various religions, saying that they wished their best, offering their assistance. When they learned they were back, there was an outpouring of relief and rejoicing from people, regardless of their political or religious differences . . . . If only we could think in that way about every individual on this earth, we could truly have world peace." Following, service Presidential party flew from Hawaii to San Clemente, Calif. (PD, 4/27/70, 550-3)
Apollo 13 astronauts and families were greeted by crowd of 5000 at Ellington AFB on return to Houston from Hawaii. Astronaut James A. Lovell, Jr., said: "Jack and Fred and I are very proud and glad to be back in Texas because there were times when we weren't sure we would make it back here. We would not have been here today if it were not for the people on the ground. The people in Mission Control guided us all the way, day and night." (Pasadena Star-News. 4/ 20/70; Lannan, W Star, 4/20/70, Al)
NASA released two black-and-white photos taken by Apollo 13 crew, showing damage to SM from oxygen tank explosion. Former Astronaut James A. McDivitt, Manager of Apollo Spacecraft Program at MSC said primary information revealed by pictures was that entire 4- by 11/2-m (13- by 51/2-ft) panel held by 250 bolts had been blown off and that fuel cells above tanks had remained intact. (Auerbach, W Post, 4/20/70, AI)
Apollo 13 editorials: Washington Post: "The footprints are still imperishably graven on the lunar dust and the flag still flies on the surface of the moon, but it all seems more distant, unreal and unattainable now. The loud bang that rocked Apollo 13 and echoed back to us from outer space last week did more than challenge our comfortable assumptions about manned space flight. It reminded us how much we have taken for granted, how much has been achieved and how far man has yet to go." (W Post, 4/19/70, B1)
Washington Sunday Star: ". . men, the world over, instinctively recognize the metaphysical importance of the reach into space. Lovell, Haise, and Swigert were not just three Americans on a dangerous mission. They, and those who will follow, are ambassadors of life to new, unknown regions. The success of these first halting steps into space has brought a new vision to a slightly weary world and given mankind a new pride in its humanity. It is a gift without price. It is an offering that must not be withdrawn because of a momentary setback and a dramatic demonstration of the dangers that have always been present." (W Star, 4/19/70)
Philadelphia Sunday Bulletin: "Of all the machines man has made to plumb the depths of space, surely none has served him better or more faithfully in desperate circumstances [than the LM]. So Aquarius and the men who designed and manufactured her earned the plaque in Smithsonian, just as the astronauts and the Apollo 13 ground crew earned the Freedom Medals President Nixon has awarded them." (P Bull, 4/19/70)
City council of Roermond, the Netherlands, had announced it would name street after Apollo 13 and include names of Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., Fred W. Haise, Jr., and John L. Swigert, Jr., in street signs, AP reported. (W Post, 4/20/70, A8)
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