12 July 1998

United States Senate

Dear Senator Glenn,

Thank you for your 1 July letter and all the information with it. I have always admired you for your past accomplishments and, now, I admire you even more for becoming a senior crew member of the Space Shuttle Discovery in late October at the age of 77.

When I sent my letter to NASA, with a copy to you, and volunteered to go with you on Shuttle Mission STS-95, the people at NASA probably thought that I was just another "nut" looking for attention. I assure you that I was serious about my offer, and I am sorry that apparently NASA is not interested in anyone in my age bracket, even though at age 85 I have been a senior Olympian for the past 16 years in State, Region, National and World level competitions.

This year, in my new 85 to 89 age group for Senior Olympic competition, I hope to successfully compete in West Virginia, Maryland and in the World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. Hopefully, I'll win some Gold, Silver & Bronze medals at each location to qualify to compete in the 1999 US National competitors in age groups from 50 to 90 plus.

I sincerely hope that, with God's blessing, you will be successful in your capacity as a senior crew member of Shuttle Mission STS-95 and that, when you get to be my age, you will be able to count your blessings as I do every day. Keep taking care of yourself, and you will probably be asked to be a Space Shuttle crew member 10 years from now at age 87!

Again, I thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to write to me. Please excuse my poor typing. I use the "Bible System"; you know, "Seek and you shall find" the keys, or "Hunt and peck."

Kindest regards to you and yours, and God bless you!

Frank E. Herrelko, Sr.
Colonel, USAF (Retired)