Red Barn Observatory MPC/IAU H68
Established 2006
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The Struggle for the Future
by Dr. Wernher von Braun
"The Struggle for the Future" link below is a copy of an original speech that was obtained from Dr. Robert Greenwald who obtained it directly from Dr. Wernher von Braun.
Here is the story submitted by Dr. Robert Greenwald.
This would be more for people interested in the history of our country. In 1959 in my junior year at the University of Florida, I had the good fortune to attend a lecture by Dr. Wernher von Braun. This was after Sputnik when America was jolted by the fact that we were not the leaders in space. This great German whom we were lucky enough to capture was not only a genius but eloquent in the English language, which I do not know when he learned. He spoke with a heavy accent but beautifully. And he headed our beginning space program and regularly went before congress to wrestle money from them for our space program. After his speech, I was so enthralled that I ran up to the podium, past any guards that might be there and shook his hand. I said, "Dr. Von Braun, that was such a great speech, could I possibly have a copy?". And he said "Vell, I vill ask my secretary in Huntsville to send you a copy. Oh vhat the heck, here take this one" as he pulled it out of his vest pocket.
As you read the speech, please try to put yourself in the position of a young impressionable, idealistic student hearing this for the first time when it was not yet a fait de accompli. Okay for my children, my friends, and my family. I hope you enjoy...
Dr. Robert Greenwald
The Struggle for the Future by Dr. Wernher von Braun
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