Members of the board for the Astronauts Memorial Foundation
Kathie and Scott Fulgham
Kathie Fulgham with an employee of the Mint
photo by Kathie Fulgham with an employee of the Mint
Kathie Fulgham
A ceremony to launch the sale of the U.S. Mint’s new Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Collection will be held Thursday at Kennedy Space Center. Kathie Scobee Fulgham, daughter to astronaut Dick Scobee, serves on the Astronauts Memorial Board and the coin committee and will be in attendance with her husband, Scott Fulgham. Her mom, June Scobee Rodgers, and stepdad, Don Rodgers will also be at the ceremony. The Fulghams and Rodgers both live in Chattanooga.
Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 astronaut, will be the keynote speaker at the ceremony.
The commemorative coin collection celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first manned Moon landing with four beautifully crafted commemorative curved coins: a five-dollar gold, silver dollar, clad half dollar and five-ounce proof silver dollar. This is only the second time the U.S. Mint has created a concave coin and the collection is expected to sell out quickly.
Mr. and Mrs. Fulgham were at the unveiling of the design of the coin and were two of the few who got to strike a coin, which they'll keep, but can't have until Thursday when the rest of the world can buy them. The hockey puck-sized "coin" is different than the actual coins.
Following the ceremony, the commemorative coins will be available for purchase at the Information Building at the front entrance of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex or online through the U.S. Mint website. Those who purchase any coin(s) will receive one commemorative coin booklet. Limited quantities of the commemorative coins will be available for purchase.
Veteran NASA astronauts Dan Brandenstein, Curt Brown, Tom Jones and Bruce Melnick will be available from 1-4 p.m. to sign commemorative booklets for those who purchased a coin in the Space Shop. Admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex must be purchased to attend autograph signings.
Mrs. Fulgham is the daughter of Challenger STS 51-L Commander Francis "Dick" Scobee.