AMARILLO – Back in 1999, when the crew members of NASA’s STS-96 mission to the International Space Station wanted authentic cowboy/western gear, the astronauts went to the right place.
The crew may have had inside information – after all the pilot was Amarillo’s own Rick Husband – as they went to Cavender’s Boot City in Amarillo.
The seven-person international crew was welcomed in style at Cavender’s and were presented with cowboy hats. The crew returned the favor, giving several mementos to Cavender’s of their historic mission – the second international space station flight.
The crew donated several pictures (including a picture signed specifically to Cavender’s), an STS-96 crew patch and a signed letter of appreciation from Husband’s mother, Jane.
The memorabilia, which was framed and displayed at Cavender’s for years, now has a new home courtesy of Amarillo native Tex Roberts and Jeff Howell, District 1 Vice President for Cavender’s.
Roberts and Howell, representing Cavender’s, are donating the memorabilia to the airport named in honor of Husband, Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport.
“This is Amarillo history, and we are honored that Cavender’s is donating these items to the airport that proudly bears Rick Husband’s name,” said City of Amarillo Director of Aviation Michael Conner.
The memorabilia will be displayed in the airport meet-and-greet area, near the well-known statue of Rick Husband.
For more information on the STS-96 mission, go to the NASA website at: