Center Director Roy Bridges addresses attendees at a 50th anniversary gala capping a year-long celebration of 50 years of launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Among those at the head table directly in front of the podium are Commander of the 45th Space Wing Brig. Gen. Donald Pettit and Gala Committee Chairman Ed Gormel. The first launch at CCAFS took place at 9:28 a.m. on July 24, 1950, with the liftoff of Bumper 8 from Launch Complex 3