Little did Mr. and Mrs. Hickam know the power of a name. Homer. Like Father. Like Son. Both men who lived their own Hero’s Journeys as had that Homer of so very long ago.
It was not the kidnapping of a Queen that called this Homer to his destiny. It was a tiny light 
streaking across a star-studded night sky over Coalwood, West Virginia. To Homer and his lifelong friends, however, it was a gnawing hunger that launched them into a world of which they knew nothing.
Knowing nothing has nothing to do with deep seeded desire, with lying awake thinking about Sputnik, thinking about rockets, thinking about the brave new world that opened before them…Thinking…laser focused thinking that birthed a dream. These boys picked up the gauntlet thrown down by the Russians and engaged.
Their first rocket resulted in the destruction of a fence, but no loss of life. Homer and his cohort identified allies. Mr. Lockhart [Math]. Miss Riley [Chemistry and Physics] Two critical areas requiring mastery if a successful launch was to manifest.
Their walls of Troy were a slack field eight miles from Coalwood to which they assigned the name of The Big Creek Missile 
Agency, a tangible sign of the intention which dominated their attention. Ten more rocket disasters challenged their commitment, but the Rocket Boys persevered. Dodging shrapnel flying from one exploding rocket casing after another, they discovered and then mastered the physical reality of the laws of physics and chemistry which somehow had not quite made it into the books they studied. They knew they were onto something bigger than themselves. They knew they were on a great adventure.
And so did everyone else. They planned. They worked. They never once considered that failure was an option. Their vision was clear. The world began to supply the means of accomplishing their purpose as these young men walked, talked, lived, ate, dreamed, and drank Rockets. Their enthusiasm and determination ignited the entire community. Miners, Welders, Bootleggers, Moonshiners, housewives, machinists, and even preachers rallied to their vision until in May, 1960, they launched a rocket that soared four miles into the upper reaches of Earth’s atmosphere.
TRIUMPH!! One Science Fair at a time, they garnered the attention of others who would contribute to their life purposes. All the Rocket Boys graduated from college. Each one followed their passion. Homer’s Odyssey paralleled that of the other Homer’s hero, Odysseus, as well as that of the other Homer! Homer Hickam’s life has been and continues to be one of adventure, and of the telling of tales. His Hero’s Journey continues to this day as in 
book after book, he recounts a life of discovery hunting dinosaurs, diving, being a part of his life dream of working at NASA.
In his own words:
“During my transition from a decidedly under-achieving boy in Coalwood to the man I am today I learned a few things that might be helpful to you as you begin your own journey to your destiny. First, I’ll tell you the secret for success in your life of work and it goes right back to what made me a Rocket Boy: Passion for your work. Passion for what you do or want to do, and – this is important – the perseverance over the long haul to make it happen.” Homer Hickam
This is such a great blog! way to go and way to share with all of us! I love how you connected the two Homers for us.
Thanks so very much, Lydia! In the Bible, the name is not just the label affixed to your body. It defines the character and nature of the man. The connection of all three men whose name is Homer could not be ignored. Happy New Year!
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I love a good “Hero’s Journey”!!… Boy is this powerful, “…Passion for your work. Passion for what you do or want to do, and – this is important – the perseverance over the long haul to make it happen.” Homer Hickam
…This is exactly what I (we) are working through in the MKMMA course. Passion & Perseverance… It’s interesting how the littlest things sometimes make the biggest difference.
Exactly!!! That’s how you eat an elephant… One little nibble at a time. We are being trained to acquire the characteristics Homer had and has. Back then, the schools didn’t work to train it out of you! He is quite an inspiration!
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Totally agree!! ..Great content on this post Valeska.
Wow! This was outstanding! I love how you write! And so neat about the different Homers. Also neat to learn that Homer Hickman wrote some books about his endeavors too! Thank you!
Cass’ odyssey I believe will be more exciting. Beware of the one eyed giant.
Good job.
Amazing story, Val, and thanks for telling it in such an interesting way! Love the passion/perseverance message too. Many thanks for sharing! ~Mark.
You are a wonderful writer! I am amazed how you can sum up with such eloquence…the message of the movie… They did have passion for what they were doing… they practiced all 4 of the steps that Mark is teaching us… the burning desire…with a plan expressed…no matter what…ignoring the negativity and constant masterminding between the rocket boys… I loved the movie, the message and your summary!! Thank you for your gift of words!!!
What a wonderful read Valeska about October Sky, and Homers living out their Hero’s Journey. You are a talented writer, and love reading every word you have penned here. You even added more information than I remember seeing in the movie. I particularly love the quote by Homer Hickman, “I’ll tell you the secret for success in your life of work and it goes right back to what made me a Rocket Boy: Passion for your work. Passion for what you do or want to do, and – this is important – the perseverance over the long haul to make it happen.” Its all about Passion, and persistence. Thank you for sharing.
Love your summary of this heart warming story and especially the quote from Homer Hickman. Thank you for sharing such skilled writing.
Thanks for reading and sharing! God bless you!
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Great blog about two Homers and about the rocket boys. The quote about passion and perseverance summed it up beautifully.
Love the impassioned style and content, Valeska! Thank you for the inspiration!! (8D