First Journalist in Space

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In October 1984, on my way back to Albany from Washington, DC, I was listening to WTOP radio and heard about NASA accepting applications for the First Journalist in Space program. The news anchor was giving out the address to request an application while I was driving. Talk about distracted driving, I leaned over to the passenger seat to get a piece of paper and pen from my news reporter’s bag. I proceeded to scribble down the address while I was driving.

Upon my return from DC, I wrote to NASA for the application. When the application came I felt, at age 24, I was perfectly suited for this mission. The application also said three letters of recommendations were needed to accompany the application.

When I thought about it, I figured a prominent Democrat, prominent Republican and a neutral party would make for the best letters of recommendations. All three that I asked agreed to write letters on my behalf. They were Joe Reilly, president of the New York State Broadcasters’ Association, United States Senator Alphonse D’Amato and Governor Mario Cuomo.

Reilly and D’Amato wrote glowing letters stating my writing skills, persistence and entrepreneurial spirit would make me a great selection for the space program.

Governor Mario Cuomo wrote: Marc Gronich asked that I write a letter of recommendation so he could be the first journalist in space so I’m writing this letter of recommendation for him. The words of praise went downhill from there.

But word got out that the Governor wrote the letter for me and he was asked why he decided to write the letter? The governor’s answer was simple. “Marc was the only one who asked me.”

But wait, there’s more. At the beginning of every speech where I was present the governor would open his remarks by pointing out the fact that I asked him to write the letter for me. He quipped, “I said I would write the letter if he promised to only go one way if he was selected.” The crowd roared with laughter and my stock in the industry skyrocketed. I could interview anyone and my client base exploded. This made me want to follow the governor around to every event. It was exhilarating.

Then in January 1986, the Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff with Christa McAuliffe aboard, as the first teacher in space. I was minding my own business doing my laundry in the basement of my home when the phone rang. It was Governor Cuomo. He called to apologize to me for saying I should go one way. He said he didn’t mean it that way.

After the brief phone conversation I thought, wasn’t that nice, at a time of national mourning the governor thought enough to call me immediately. It was one of the most poignant moments in my life.