X-15 Pin

I had stopped by to see my Dad a few hours before he passed away. Later at home, we got the phone call that he was gone. When Jennifer and I showed up at their apartment, we were the first of my brothers to arrive. I stood in his room looking at his lifeless body. I walked over to his desk and saw this X15 tie-clip. I picked it up, looking it over, recalling what he told me years before. Working on the X15 program at Edwards Air Force Base was the most fun he had in his career. I brought that tie clip home and put it in the drawer where I keep my daily things, such as wallet, keys, work badges, etc. I see this tie clip daily as I get ready for work. A few weeks after he passed away, I was awarded a NASA award and later the stone plaque. Due to budget cuts, the ceremony for the NASA leadership team to present the certificate was put off until 2026. That will take place, hopefully, at an Artemis launch. I plan to wear this tie clip at that ceremony.

That day I last saw my Dad, he was lying flat on his back when I left. Mom told me recently that when they found him, he was on his right side, arms outstretched as if he were reaching for something. The only thing on that side of his bed was a window. He had not been off his back for weeks before. We believe he was reaching out to the one who brought him to his eternal home.