On July 21, 1961, "Gus" flew his "Liberty Bell 7" Murcury capsule on a 15-minute, suborbital flight that splashed in the Atlantic Ocean. Less than a year later, on June 16, 1962, the city of Mitchell, Ind., officially declared him "Home- town Hero": The city celebrated his high-fly- ing stardom with "'Gus' Grissom Day," and it was no small affair."Oh, it was a big deal," recalled younger brother Lowell in 2007. "We had a parade. Purdue sent the Golden Girl and that big drum and part of the marching band. It was a great day for 'Gus' and everyone!"
As was, and remains, the custom for so many Boilermaker headliners, with drum "parked" alongside the parade's reviewing stand, "Gus" took pen in hand and signed the skin. Norman Grissom captured the moment photo- graphically.
But wait 'til you read the Rest of the Story – coming soon! (Photo ©Kent Olinger)
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