Nexus - 1304 - New Times Magazine-pages

Page Content (OCR)

A UFO CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR BARRY GOLDWATER UFO CONVERSATION WITH SENATOR GOLDWATER BARRY A chance encounter with US Senator Barry Goldwater during the Apollo 11 launch countdown was an opportunity for this aerospace engineer at Kennedy Space Center to share little-known information about UFO sightings of particular interest to the US military. he date of 16 July 1969 was the day of the launch of Apollo J] and the initial kick-off for the first landing of the human race on our neighbour, the Moon. The global importance of this major historic event was very evident at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. It was Moon Shot Day! Many famous people from all over the world gathered in the VIP launch viewing area near the Apollo LCC (Launch Control Center). The security was at its highest level. One guest was in attendance whom I had supported during his political career: Senator Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona. He had been the Republican presidential candidate in 1964, running against President Lyndon B. Johnson. He had lost by a wide margin, but we in Florida had delivered him a victory in Brevard County, Florida, and the Spaceport area and take pride in ourselves regarding that minor accomplishment. In 1968, Goldwater won back his senatorial seat in Arizona. Being a registered Democrat supporting a Republican candidate in Florida did not gain me any favour through my lifelong political party in Florida. I constantly lived with insults and jokes which supplemented my involvement in UFO research. McClelland has always been a maverick! Senator Barry M. Goldwater had been a Major General in the United States Army Air Corps; he'd wanted to be a fighter pilot of the P-47 Thunderbolt and/or the P-51 Mustang, but was assigned to deliver various other aircraft to combat areas. He had flown an estimated 160-plus planes during his World War II and civilian years. I was also informed that he had been checked out in an SR-71 Blackbird. That was very impressive to learn. During the long countdown of the Saturn V Apollo J] launch vehicle, I took a breakfast break from the LCC and walked to the nearby VIP guest viewing site in hopes of meeting Senator Goldwater. As I scanned the numerous people gathered, I asked one of our security guards if he was aware of the location of Goldwater. He pointed his finger to an open field nearby, saying, "Do you see that guy over there setting up his camera tripod, Mac? That's Senator Goldwater." I had my camera around my neck in hopes of having a photo opportunity with the Senator. I strolled across the crab-grass turf as he was setting up his personal camera. I was surprised he was alone except for a half-dozen other guests who were nearby, also setting up their cameras. | introduced myself and he responded with a polite greeting. He asked if I was a guest in the VIP area. I chuckled a bit and said, "No sir, I am not yet a VIP." He smiled and said, "Yes, I know how you feel. I had the same experience in the past." We talked about his earlier effort to gain the presidency and I told him about my personal efforts in Brevard County. He thanked me, saying at least he had won here in the Cape area. I seriously pondered my next question concerning UFOs and finally asked him if he would discuss the subject with me. I was surprised he had no Secret Service agents or NASA Public Affairs personnel hovering around him. I explained my position at KSC and my being the NICAP Unit-3 Director for Major Donald E. Keyhoe at KSC. He had met Keyhoe in DC years before. He approved our discussion on the UFO subject and we began our exchange of information. I began by saying it was obvious he had a deep, abiding interest in UFOs and possible visits of alien races to Earth. by Clark C. McClelland © March 2006 Email: clark0003@gmail.com Website: http:/Awww.stargate-chronicles.com by Clark C. McClelland © March 2006 JUNE — JULY 2006 NEXUS = 51 Email: clark0003@gmail.com www.nexusmagazine.com