Shuttle Replica Will Be Unveiled Today
The Onizuka Memorial, a 25-foot replica of the space shuttle Challenger, will be unveiled at a public ceremony today at 5 p.m. in Little Tokyo. The memorial honors Japanese-American astronaut Ellison Onizuka, one of the seven crew members who died in the Challenger explosion on Jan. 28, 1986.
The memorial site is on Onizuka Street at Weller Court, bordered by 1st and 2nd streets, and by Los Angeles and San Pedro streets. Among those at the dedication will be three NASA astronauts, Col. Loren Shriver, USAF; Col. Jim Buchli, USMC, and Col. Gary Paton, USAF.
The Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Commemorative Committee, which has raised $149,000 of the $350,000 needed for the memorial, will host a fund-raising banquet at the New Otani Hotel following the dedication. The event will begin with a reception at 6 p.m.
Information on contributions and banquet tickets: Darlene Kuba, (213) 485-3351.
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