Neighbors, Friends Share Stories On Eve Of Olivas’ Space Flight

EL PASO, TX – As the anticipation surrounding the launch of Danny Olivas and the Space Shuttle Atlantis grows, the Sun City neighborhood where El Paso’s astronaut grew up could not be more prouder of their hometown hero.

Olivas grew up on Cielo VistaDr. in east El Paso. His parents still live at the house and people in the neighborhood can hardly wait for one of their own to blast off.

In an interview broadcast on the NASA web site, Olivas recounts how he would sit atop the roof of his home and look at the heavens through his telescope.

“He was just a skinny little kid…I would never imagined he’d be an astronaut, somebody that would make me, the neighborhood and the city forever proud,” stated Tom Barragan, a Vietnam veteran who lives across from the Olivas’ home.

“I’m just really proud of him …I think it’s so wonderful that he worked so hard and persevered and did so well,” stated Jean Boatright, whose son attended school at all levels with Olivas.

“It recognizes El Paso all around the United States and the world…we have an El Pasoan taking off,” stated Jesus Ruiz, who lives behind the Olivas’ family home.

“It really encourages us to follow our dreams,” stated Ruiz’s daughter Cindy, a Burgess High School Junior, the school where Danny graduated.

Olivas’ parents are already in Florida for Friday evening’s launch.

ABC-7 will have full coverage of the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis beginning at 11:30am here on kvia.com

Our televised coverage begins with ABC’s World News at 4:30pm, followed by a special ABC-7 at 5pm, which will include live coverage of the launch at 5:38pm.