Retirement from Federal service usually involves packing up and heading south from Washington. This morning, the Federal worker migrated north and will retire in the nation’s capital.
We’re talking the Space Shuttle Discovery. Around 10 am, the long-serving space vehicle, affixed atop the special-made 747, arrived from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
I watched from the Old Town Marina, where the gathered crowd looked southward toward the Wilson Bridge. Suddenly, someone yelled, "it's coming from the other direction!"
One of those times I wish I had a better camera. Can’t complain though, the weather cooperated and we got a second flyby.
Neal Morgan of Alexandria, arriving at the dock early, echoed a familiar sentiment. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime event."
Michael Mason, a technology work in Old Town said, "You're not going to see this again."
Ann Saunders, visiting from Hampshire, England was excited to see the fly-by. "Such a thrill," she said. "How lucky we are."
Discovery, a workhorse with almost 40 missions and over 148M miles flown, and the oldest of the three surviving shuttles, will replace the Enterprise at the Udvar-Hazy Center, the Smithsonian’s Museum of Air and Space at Dulles.
If you missed the flyover, or want a closer look, head over to Dulles on Thursday. An all-day welcome event starts at 11 am and features over a dozen Discovery astronauts and John Glenn.
Welcome to your new home, Discovery, and good luck on your retirement!
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