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"Sy Liebergot, in his book
APOLLO EECOM, gave us an outstanding example of
the opportunities available in the United
States. Sy takes us through his troubled past to
earning his wings as a key player in our
journeys to the Moon."
--Jim Lovell, Astronaut, Commander, Apollo 13
"A question that I have often
been asked about my Apollo 13 experience is,
were you concerned? ..... or by young children
who tend to say exactly what they are thinking,
did you think you would die? Most people have a
hard time accepting my answer of no and that my
strongest emotion was one of great
disappointment. The story of an APOLLO EECOM
should enable the readers to understand. You
will appreciate, as I did, that there was Sy and
others of the team in Mission Control that were
truly dedicated and highly skilled to deal with
challenges and routinely pull off minor miracles
....... the Apollo 13 Mission saga."
-- Fred Haise, Astronaut, Lunar Module Pilot,
Apollo 13
"The world knows Sy Liebergot as
one of the steel-nerved experts in Mission
Control who helped save Apollo 13. Now he
reveals, in his own words, that his entire life
was preparation for that moment of truth. Sy's
account is harrowing, touching, and inspiring--
his story gives new meaning to the phrase,
'Failure Is Not An Option.' "
-- Andrew Chaikin, author of A Man on the
Moon
"Sy Liebergot, alias EECOM, in
his personal history, "APOLLO EECOM: Journey of
a Lifetime," adds another human face to the
hundreds of thousands of dedicated young men and
women and their families who were the core of
the Apollo Program. Sy tells many of the stories
that I remember, many I had forgotten, and many
more I never knew. Revisiting in my mind the
MOCR, the SPAN Room, The Singin' Wheel, and the
Hofbraugarten with hundreds of old friends and
saviors has been a delight!"
--Harrison H. Schmitt, aka Jack Schmitt,
Astronaut, Apollo 17 Lunar Module Pilot, former
U.S. Senator (NM)
"The story of Sy's life
demonstrates that if one "hitches up his 'git-along'"
he can "make it" in America, no matter where he
starts from. Atta boy!"
-- Jack Lousma, Astronaut, Skylab 3 Pilot,
Spacecraft Commander- Shuttle STS-3
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"My whole perception of the film
Apollo 13 shifted when I went on my first
research trip to the Johnson Space Center and sat in
the MOCR with a dozen of the flight controllers who
had been involved in the mission, including Sy
Liebergot. I had always understood the original
screenplay as a heroic survival story of three brave
astronauts. However, while listening to these men
reflect on their role in the crisis, I began to
realize not only could the movie accomplish that
truth but also shed light on the heroics of the men
of Mission Control. Not Rambo-like, acrobatic
heroics of violence but instead, the heroics of the
application of accrued knowledge, combined with a
tremendous emotional personal drive. I had come upon
a directorial opportunity to dramatize the power of
the mind; a mind applied under great stress. It
might not be leaping from building to building but
what the flight controllers did was a Herculean
accomplishment. It was a great test and those tests
always make great drama. A key moment in the
mission, dramatically speaking, was the moment, Sy,
portrayed by my brother Clint in the film, had when
his recommendation from the EECOM console was to
shut a fuel cell's reactant valves. The objective of
the mission was landing on the Moon and Sy's call
not only ended that, but also gave full dimension of
the disaster they were facing. Aside from his
involvement in Apollo 13, Sy's life
experiences should be held as an example of
achievement. Young people ought to read this book and
take note of a life well done."
- Ron Howard, Director of the Apollo 13
film
"I've had many perks in my forty-plus
years in the entertainment business but few rise
above the friendship that developed with Sy
Liebergot. I remember the nervous anticipation I had
prior to my first phone call with Sy. I was getting
a chance to quiz the man I was to play as White
EECOM in the film, Apollo 13 and I didn't
want to come off as a fool. As we talked, I remember
Sy being very patient with me. I also remember him
saying something that would be a huge help for me
preparing for the role, "I was no steely eyed
missile man, that's for sure." Sy was very humble,
referring to himself as just an engineer and
although he was a veteran of the manned space
program, he recounted the lack of bravado he felt
during the days of crisis on Apollo 13. After
getting to know Sy over the years and now having
read his memoirs, I realize what a remarkable man he
is. I know he'll never say this about himself, but
Sy Liebergot is a hero. Heroes rise above personal
adversity to make great achievements. From where Sy
came to what he's made of his life is a great
achievement. NASA gave a young man, fresh out of
college, an opportunity to be part of a new frontier
and Sy didn't disappoint. To be part of a team that
started with a blank sheet of paper and developed
the hardware and procedures for manned space travel
is pretty special."
- Clint Howard, White EECOM, Apollo 13
film
"In the years when Americans went to the Moon,
Mission Control was a place where life and death
decisions had to be made in seconds. Apollo EECOM is
written by a man who saw it all and was at the
vortex of the greatest crisis that Mission Control
ever faced. Sy Liebergot tells the story of Apollo
13 as no one else could."
-- Charles Murray and Catherine Bly Cox, authors of
Apollo: The Race to the Moon
"Astronauts and flight directors may have been
the Apollo program's royalty, but it was the men in
the flight controllers' seats who truly made the
missions fly. Sy Liebergot tells the thrilling tale
of one such man--himself--with grace, wit and skill.
Liebergot's life has been one of high drama and
grand adventure; his book is no less gripping."
--Jeffrey Kluger, Co-author, Apollo 13
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