Sometimes it feels all like press conferences and blue flight suits and space ice cream, and you forget that it's a very high-risk environment. Another adjustment is just how separated he'll be; in his previous deployments, Stacey said, "you know in the back of your mind, if something really terrible happens his commander will send him home." On the morning of July 20th, 2019 I kissed my husband one last time before watching him don his space suit and step up into the bus that would take him to the launchpad and his waiting Soyuz rocket.Once there, he crawled into the cramped capsule with his two crew mates and they closed the hatch.About a mile away, my children and I waited for the countdown to begin. CHAMPVA is a health benefits program where the VA shares the cost of certain services and supplies with you. Now imagine that a 30-second countdown clock begins, and at the end of that countdown, that day will become either one of … Read More. Army combat leaders are finding that coronavirus infections affect units the same way as battlefield casualties. In some ways, preparing for her husband's launch is a lot like preparing for previous deployments, of which they've been through several; he's been to Iraq once, Afghanistan twice, and had at least two deployments to Africa, she told Task & Purpose. In fact, as he and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin approached low-Earth orbit, it went completely awry. Funeral services are private. We'd love to hear eyewitness "A lot of people assume that we're not military anymore. ... We're testing it from a family standpoint, sharing not only with NASA and the team but also across the spouse network. In this handout photo released by Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre (GCTC), Roscosmos space agency, U.S. astronaut Jessica Meir sits in the capsule shortly after the landing of the Russian Soyuz MS-15 space capsule near Kazakh town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, Friday, April 17, 2020. "They're anxious for him to be in Houston," his mother said. "He's looking forward to taking a real shower and having hamburgers,” she said. Follow her on Twitter at @patriciakime. Get the latest updates on NASA missions, watch NASA TV live, and learn about our quest to reveal the unknown and benefit all humankind. But we consider ourselves military families who are assigned to NASA. It's not for the faint of heart.". The long separation is grueling. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The commander in chief took to Twitter to tout what he sees as major accomplishments for troops and veterans. When his parents finally do get the chance to speak with him, motherly instinct might take over on a few questions. "Those extras are for me!" Contact him at psirianni@ncnewsonline.com or on Twitter at @PeterSirianni. Nick deployed to Iraq in 2004; Drew deployed to Iraq once, Afghanistan twice and several countries in Africa twice. Results will display automatically. Likewise, Stacey and Drew Morgan met at the U.S. Military Academy and married in 2000. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Stacey Morgan is always ready with a crazy story from her own life; whether it be military deployments, carpooling, working for the Smithsonian, skydiving, teaching her teens to drive, taking roller skating lessons, or blasting her husband into outer space. Now he's headed into space. NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan conducts a spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Oct. 6 to upgrade the station's batteries. However, meals in space have the water vacuumed out before, so water needs to be added. There's the Millennium Falcon Lego set Nick got for the boys before he left. Stacey Morgan March 31, 2020 honestly. The goal is to "build the engine to turn this resource into insight for our service members at the speed of need.". It's not like they are going out to a restaurant or the grocery store. astronaut family grandchildren marriage Mars moon mops motherhood NASA rocket launch sacrifice space exploration wife. 2 Admiral Tests Positive for COVID-19, 'Data Is the Ammunition': Inside the Pentagon's New Strategy to Dominate Future Battlefields, No Gold Star Families Got COVID-19 After White House Event, Organization Says, Marine Corps Working to Track Down Pfc. One of my biggest passions is leadership development, especially in regards to women serving in faith-based organizations. "As a mom, I want to know how is he feeling. "We are so proud of him, but we will miss him terribly. It's about the balance between handling things on your own, and making sure your partner doesn't feel completely disconnected from decisions being made at home; finding the rhythm of phone calls and video chats (which the Morgans will have once a week) that works for your family; and the general life moments that happen while one spouse is away — Stacey said while her husband is on the International Space Station, their oldest will learn to drive, and their second kiddo will be finishing junior high. She and the couple's four children watched the entire mission from NASA's Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center in Houston. "They get flight pay and per diem, but think about it -- everything is paid for. Stacey Morgan April 18, 2018 Influence Day after day, we helped drag treasured family possessions outside into wet, rancid piles on the curb. Share with Us. She is married to NASA Astronaut Drew Morgan and together they have four children. "The first week, we figured out that video chats with everyone on the couch was an epic fail. This time, she said, "we will be there actively watching at the highest peaks of the risk," meaning the launch, landing, and space-walking. At times, the piles were over 10 feet tall, consisting of couches, pots and pans, picture albums, children’s toys and family heirlooms. MOPS International encourages and equips moms of young children to realize their potential as mothers, women and leaders, in relationship with Jesus, and in partnership with the local church. "You're there with your children, watching it play out in real time. Arrangements by R. Cunningham Funeral Home, Wilmington Road, New Castle. Halfway around the world, NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan was probably feeling the same. You don't see what they're doing day-to-day. By Courtesy April 9, 2020 Commentary by Stacey Morgan, wife of astronaut U.S. Army Col. Andrew Morgan. person will not be tolerated. Stacey currently works at Clear Creek Community Church near Houston, TX and for MOPS, International. All rights reserved. In Neshannock Township, Dr. Richard and Janice Morgan were patiently watching TV to finally see a glimpse of their son after he spent nine months in space. This Army Special Forces surgeon can break every bone in your body while naming them. Morgan was selected by NASA in June 2013 as one of the eight members of NASA Astronaut Group 21 (Nicknamed "The Eight Balls") and began two years of astronaut basic training, this included training in Russian language, robotics, scientific and technical fields, ISS operations, T-38 flight operations, survival and spacewalk operations. But in many other ways, it's different, a high-stakes game in a public arena for military spouses who are used to their anonymity and relying on the support of other military spouses and close friends. Stacey likened the entire event to "organizing several weddings at once" — you're so busy planning, getting family on the same page, setting up travel, hammering out details, that sometimes you forget there's a marriage at the end of it. "It's like a wedding, a very emotional wedding, where, in our case, the groom has been strapped to the top of a rocket and is about to get shot into space. Sirianni is a 2016 IUP graduate, earning a degree in journalism and public relations. Just like the military lifestyle, the astronaut lifestyle is hard on the family," Catie said. Hopefully, we'll help. Head over to StaceyMorgan2000.com to see my new website! (Andrey Shelepin, Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre (GCTC), Roscosmos space agency, via AP).