When I suggested this theme, Barrie and Lisa were not too keen about it. I kept telling them to think about the National Treasure movies and look for them at Walt Disney World. In the meantime, Disney unveiled the National Treasures exhibit in the American Heritage Gallery which is located inside the American Adventure pavilion. This exhibit features over 40 special artifacts on loan to Epcot. From Abe Lincoln’s stovepipe hat to items representing the lives of Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Senator Daniel Inouye and much more.

Below is the National Treasure I choose for this week’s Disney Pic of the Week. A part of a moon rock brought back by Apollo astronauts and given by NASA to honor one of their own.

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Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/25s, f/4.2, 1600 ISO, +0.3 EV, 32mm Focal Length

Ambassador of Exploration Honor bestowed on astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom is currently being displayed as part of the National Treasure exhibit in the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

These Ambassador of Exploration Honors are to recognize the sacrifices and dedication of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts. Each astronaut or a family member was presented a moon rock as part of a special ceremony honoring the 35th anniversary of Apollo 11 at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC on July 16, 2004.

The moon rocks awarded were part of samples returned by the Apollo 17 mission from the Taurus Littrow Valley. Each will be encased in an acrylic sphere and attached to a plaque bearing images of a Saturn V rocket launch, an astronaut (John Young) jumping on the Moon, the planet Mars and the International Space Station.

The lunar samples will remain the property of NASA, but the astronauts and their surviving families, in coordination with NASA, will select a museum or other educational institution where their awards will be publicly displayed in their name to help inspire a new generation of explorers.