BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) — The City of Biloxi on Saturday dedicated the area surrounding the Fred Haise statue along Highway 90 as the “Fred Haise Landing,” honoring the Apollo 13 astronaut and Biloxi native.
Biloxi City Councilman Ward 1 Wayne Gray also announced the dedication of a portion of Highway 90 — from Porter Avenue to Kuhn Street — as the Astronaut Fred Haise Highway.
The City of Biloxi on Saturday dedicated the area surrounding the Fred Haise statue along Highway 90 as the “Fred Haise Landing,” honoring the Apollo 13 astronaut and Biloxi native.(wlox)Returning to the Coast
Haise, the Apollo 13 Lunar Module pilot, former military fighter pilot and Biloxi native, traveled from his home in Houston, Texas for Saturday’s ceremony. He is approaching his 93rd birthday and is one of six surviving Apollo astronauts.
Haise, the Apollo 13 Lunar Module pilot, former military fighter pilot and Biloxi native, traveled from his home in Houston, Texas for Saturday’s ceremony. He is approaching his 93rd birthday and is one of six surviving Apollo astronauts.(wlox)
In 2022, Haise returned to the Coast for the dedication of the Astronaut Fred Haise statue. Saturday marked his return four years later for the rededication of the surrounding area.
Close to 200 people packed the Biloxi Visitors Center for the event, including many of Haise’s old friends.
Close to 200 people packed the Biloxi Visitors Center for the event, including many of Haise’s old friends.(wlox)Apollo 13 legacy
For decades, Haise’s mission on Apollo 13 held the record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth. That record stood until the Artemis II mission, which landed earlier in April.
For decades, Haise’s mission on Apollo 13 held the record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth.(wlox)
Haise reflected on the original mission and its goals.
“In fact, before we made that record, the missions that went in at 60 miles, some of them had the record. Because it depends on how far the moon is from the Earth, too. So that wasn’t our mission. Our mission was to go land and walk on the moon. And I was still occasionally sad that I didn’t get to do that,” Haise said.
While Haise didn’t walk on the moon, he did get to walk the restored Biloxi Moonwalk mural during the visit.
While Haise didn’t walk on the moon, he did get to walk the restored Biloxi Moonwalk mural during the visit.(wlox)Old friends and space enthusiasts
Glen Huff, who attended Perkinston Junior College with Haise before the school became Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, was among those at the event. Both worked for the school’s newspaper, The Bulldog Bars.
“And many years later, I said, when you did that, Fred, we didn’t think you were going to get off the ground much. Let’s go around the moon,” Huff said.
Glen Huff (front, right), who attended Perkinston Junior College with Haise before the school became Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, was among those at the event. (wlox)
Space enthusiasts Christa and Travis Mason made the trip from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, hoping to meet Haise in person.
“I have heard him speak before at a conference, and I think I might have shook his hand. I can’t remember. But this will be my first time. Hopefully I get to shake his hand,” Christa Mason said.
Looking ahead
Haise held more than 80 Zoom conferences with students and space enthusiasts last year. He said he hopes the future of space exploration continues to flourish as long as Congress supports missions.
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