[meteorite-list] US National Hero.......... Was: Crackpot impact theory

From: Axel Emmermann <axel.emmermann_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon Sep 26 18:16:19 2005
Message-ID: <KKEDKELDHEAGAPEINLODAENOCLAA.axel.emmermann_at_pandora.be>

Dear Dirk and list,

Thank you for the praise and the attention but I would not say that I was
left behind with a meek thank you.
There was no financial reward but I was rewarded in a number of ways. Please
judge for yourselves:

I received a personal gift from Captain John Young, one of the (if not the)
most seasoned astronauts who went to the moon TWICE. It hangs proudly on my
living room wall.
In the frame next to it is a personal letter from the Director of the FBI
with an earnest and sincere thank you. Next to that hangs a frame with a
Belgian flag that has flown in space by space shuttle Atlantis in 1992.
An asteroid has been named after me (#15513 - Emmermann).
I had the honor of meeting one of the most prominent NASA researchers and
leading authority world-wide in the field of life on Mars twice. Dr. Everett
Gibson came to Antwerp and gave a speech before my club (Antwerp
Mineralogical Society). That is a moment that I, and all the members of our
club, cherish for the rest of our lives. Getting to know this friendly and
knowledgeable man is perhaps the greatest reward I could wish for.

I think I was well treated by NASA.... A piece of the moon would have been
"a nice gesture" ;-)) but still I think that things like that belong to the
public and should not be possessed by one man. Even the brave men that went
up there to collect those lunar samples do not have a specimen (although I
believe that legislation has been passed to allow them possession of a moon
rock. I'm not sure)

Your appreciation means very much to me.

About "the great stress he suffered in this ordeal."
Well, the stress will be greater in 2009 when Roberts gets out of prison.
Not that I worry a lot. I don't scare easy but still... it makes you wonder
;-)))

>Axel can provide to the list more information about the
>article that he wrote, that did not make the newspapers.
>It is quite a story of cloak and dagger.

Especially when you realize that I didn't have all the facts at the time
;-))) That story is the ony writtenfrom my perspective.
The FBI is not eager to share inside information about its investigations
and a LOT happened behind the screens. I got some of the puzzle pieces in
hindsight and from a friend who was involved in the affair. I 'd rather not
divulge things like names or organisations that were indirectly involved in
the case. People have lives and a right to privacy but otherwise you're free
to ask me anything you want to know.

>Axel should be considered a US National Hero.

Now you make me blush ;-)))
I've been called that a few times but believe me, I'm not a hero. Just a guy
with enough principles to be civilized. Most of us are... It's just that
only a few get the chance to show it.

Now to get us back on topic: Back in 2001, one of the newspapers (I think it
was the London Times) estimated the value of ALH84001, which was among the
stolen samples, to more than 30.000.000 US$. Is that anywhere near
realistic?

Best regards

Axel

-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: drtanuki [mailto:drtanuki_at_yahoo.com]
Verzonden: maandag 26 september 2005 2:51
Aan: Axel Emmermann; meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
Onderwerp: RE: [meteorite-list] US National Hero.......... Was: Crackpot
impact theory


Dear Axel and List,
  As some of you may know, Axel Emmermann was the
person responsible for aiding in the recovery of the
stolen NASA Lunites and other meteorites stolen by
Thad Roberts and gang at the JSC.
  He was never reward by NASA or the US Government
with a piece of the moon or much of anything other
than maybe a meek thank you.
  I want to Thank and Reward Axel, on behalf of the
meteorite community and this List, for his many hours
of hard work and sweat, not to mention the great
stress he suffered in this ordeal. I will donate to
him some Lunar material.
  If anyone else wants to follow up with their Lunar
Reward please come forward.
  Thanks to all and especially Axel. Axel can provide
to the list more information about the article that he
wrote, that did not make the newspapers. It is quite
a story of cloak and dagger.
  Axel should be considered a US National Hero.
Thank you. Best Always in LIFE, Dirk Ross...Tokyo
Received on Mon 26 Sep 2005 06:17:13 PM PDT