Former astronaut to discuss life in space at American Legion Post 20 meeting, Dec. 7

Former astronaut and retired Air Force colonel Carl Walz will be guest speaker at a virtual meeting of the National Press Club's historic American Legion Post 20 at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7.

All Club members are invited to the meeting. RSVP to Post 20 Sergeant-at-Arms Evelyn Moy at [email protected]. She will provide a meeting link. 

Walz flew on four space flights between 1993 and 2002. During his last mission -- as flight engineer -- he spent 6 1/2 months aboard the International Space Station, a new flight endurance record at the time. On that mission he logged 11 hours and 52 minutes on two separate space walks. He subsequently served in the Advanced Capabilities Division in the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters in D.C. He retired from NASA in 2008 and transitioned to the private sector. 

Walz will describe life on the ISS and NASA's current plans for lunar exploration.

Post 20 was founded at the Club in 1919 at the suggestion of famed World War I Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing.  At the time, Pershing was serving in Washington and was an associate member of the Club.