Astronaut John Young

A legendary astronaut ambled into Titusville on Thursday and helped launch a final push to finish building a monument to the people who made the Apollo moon landing project possible.John Young, who is the only astronaut to fly during the Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs, also proved that his rapier-like wit still is intact at 76.One of only 12 humans to set foot on another planetary surface, Young noted that he is consulting with NASA on its so-called Crew Exploration Vehicle - an Apollo-style capsule that will ferry U.S. astronauts back to the moon by 2020."It's a very nice vehicle and there are only a couple of problems with it," Young told a group of 50 community leaders and Apollo program veterans gathered on the esplanade of a new city park where the monument is being erected."One, it's too large. Two, it's too heavy. And three, there's no money to build it," he joked. "But other than that, it's okay."A central part of a waterfront redevelopment effort in historic downtown Titusville, the Apollo monument is located in one of four parks that form a riverwalk - the U.S. Space Walk of Fame - along the banks of the Indian River.Monuments paying tribute to the astronauts and workers who took part in the Mercury and Gemini programs already have been finished, and a space shuttle monument is in the planning stage.The Apollo monument will feature a large stainless steel version of the Apollo program "A" logo with a bronze moon and Earth mounted to the cross stroke of the letter.A bronze bust of President Kennedy will be part of the display along with 12 bronze panels that depict the work 400,000 people carried out to make the moon missions happen.A nonprofit organization known as the Space Walk of Fame Foundation is raising $500,000 to complete the monument. The group still needs $150,000 to finish it.Joe Williams, who worked on the Atlas ICBM and Apollo programs, stepped up at the ceremony and handed Young a $10,000 donation.

Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise anted up $5,000. Others can send tax-deductible donations to the U.S. Space Walk of Fame, P.O. Box 6385, Titusville, Fl., 32782-6385.

The Atlas and Apollo program veteran Joe Williams after he presented a $10,000 donation to the U.S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation. The money will go toward the completition of an Apollo program monument on the U.S. Space Walk of Fame in downtown Titusville. Legendary astronaut John Young is in the background.