This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
Roofing Contractor logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Roofing Contractor logo
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Issue
    • Archives
  • Topics
    • Cool Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Metal
    • News
    • Products
    • Product of the Month
    • Project Profiles
    • Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainability
    • Trade Shows
    • Technology
  • Exclusives
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show Daily
    • Made in the USA
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
      • Enter Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
      • Enter the Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • Web Exclusives
    • Editor's Choice
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • Columns
    • Editor's Note
    • Measuring Up
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
    • High-Tech Roofing
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Marketing Makeover
    • Leadership Selling
  • Blog
    • Damato of the Day
  • Multimedia
    • Roofing Quiz
    • Videos
    • IRE 2019 Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
    • Interactive Spotlights
  • More
    • Classified Ads
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Directory: Roofing Resource
    • Market Research
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Sponsor Insights
  • Events
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
  • Contact
    • Advertise
  • Directory
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Get Listed
    • Business Services
  • Subscribe
    • Print & Digital Edition Subscriptions
    • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
    • Online Registration
    • Subscription Customer Service
Home » IRE Blasts Off With Mark Kelly’s Keynote Address
IRE NewsIRE Show Daily

IRE Blasts Off With Mark Kelly’s Keynote Address

news
February 5, 2013
Stephanie Fujiwara
KEYWORDS astronaut / International Roofing Expo
Reprints
No Comments

Astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Captain Mark Kelly kicked off the 2013 International Roofing Expo with an inspiring speech about the lessons he learned during his 25-year career with the U.S. Navy and NASA. He also shared with attendees how he handled what he termed the greatest challenge in his life: the injury to his wife, U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Kelly reminisced about growing up in New Jersey with a mother who was training to become a police officer. He watched her every day training to pass the physical test in their backyard. She ended up exceeding her goal, beating most of the men in the process.

After seeing how hard his mom had worked to get that point, Kelly got a job and vowed to be more responsible.“That was the first time in my life I saw the power of having a goal and plan to achieve something,” said Kelly.

Kelly had always wanted to travel in space and dreamed about being the first person to walk on planet Mars. After detailing the hardships when landing his first naval flight, he said that “life is a set of challenges” and that you should have the practice, persistence and the drive to never give up.

Kelly realized the significance of communication during one of his flights over Iran. He said he experienced some life-changing moments that he will never forget, and said that there is never an excuse for not communicating with the people you work with. “Failing to communicate accurately and effectively nearly cost my life, and I have thought about it ever since.”

Kelly also stressed the importance of safety to contractors. “Always try to think about that first and reduce the risk.”

Kelly’s wife, Representative Gabrielle Giffords, was shot on Jan. 8, 2011, while speaking to constituents at an event near Tucson, Ariz. She was critically injured by a gunshot wound to the head; 13 other people were injured and six others were killed in the shooting. Giffords represented Arizona’s 8th congressional district from 2007 until her resignation on Jan. 25, 2012. “On January 8 2011, there was no countdown for me. I usually know when a combat mission is going to start with a countdown clock, but on that particular day there was no clock, just my phone ringing,” said Kelly.

Kelly shared his feelings about the day Gabby was shot. He was forced to watch the whole situation unfold on TV while waiting in the airport to fly out to Tucson. Throughout this whole experience, Kelly said he learned many life lessons from Gabby, including what it really means to be patient. He strives to be the exact same way with her.

Kelly went on to express his struggles with the decision to command the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavor while Gabby was still recovering in the hospital.

He made his decision based on what Gabby would have wanted him to do. Since she is a big supporter of NASA and Kelly’s career, he decided to go forward with commanding the final flight. Gabby was able to be there for the final lift off of Space Shuttle Endeavour, but was unable to see Kelly land as she was in her final surgery.

“The power of the human spirit is incredible to experience,” said Kelly as he described how his wife handles her day-to-day struggles and never gives up.

Kelly ended his speech with a concluding quote from Gabby, who wished she could have been here but is working hard at her rehab and recovery. “Be passionate, be courageous, be strong and be your best.”

Did you enjoy this article? Click here to subscribe to Roofing Contractor Magazine.

Recent Articles by Stephanie Fujiwara

Young Guns Part II

Contractor Profile: DDP Roofing

Green Is in His DNA

The Fuji Factor: You Don’t Want to Miss This!

 

Stephanie Fujiwara is associate editor of Roofing Contractor. She can be reached at 248-786-1620.

Related Articles

Astronaut Mark Kelly to Provide Keynote Address at the 2013 International Roofing Expo

Economist Dr. Barry Asmus to Present Keynote Address at 2006 IRE

Related Products

2020 BNi General Construction Costbook with 50-Division MasterFormat

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • Print & Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

operation-freelancer-viii

16 Unlicensed Florida Contractors Arrested in ‘Operation Freelancer VIII’

ABC logo

ABC Supply Launches myABCsupply to Help Roofing Contractors Manage Business on the Go

ice-river-roofers-save-woman

Roofers Rescue Woman from Drowning in Icy River

Tesla-solar-glass-roof-v3

Tesla Hiring Roofers for Solarglass Roof Installations

gavel-law

New York Signs Laws to Protect Homeowners Against ‘Storm Chasers’

roofing quiz
Roofing Resource

Roofing Contractor Magazine

Roofing Contractor Cover 2019 November

2019 November

The November issue features our Residential and Commercial Contractors of the Year for 2019! Check out our interviews with these outstanding contractors, including video from Best of Success.
View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • Construction Group
    • Partners
    • List Rental
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
    • Survey And Sample
  • Videos
  • Want More
    • Connect
  • Advertise

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing