Space Shuttle Columbia TragedyBy Patrick Mondout
On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart over the
Southern United States during reentry. We invited our readers to share
their thoughts of Columbia and it's crew.
Your Memories Shared
I was just recalling to my wife the other day how in Jr. High School,
we had an assembly where a NASA engineer came and talked about Columbia
and showed us the tiles that would cover the outside of Columbia. He
heated the tile with a blow torch and then before it seemed prudent to do
so, he touched it....and it was cool to the touch.
My thoughts are with the crews families and with all of us that share
the wonder of space exploration and the reminder of our fragility in the
universe.....God Speed Columbia. -Mark from Manhattan
I was seven years old when Columbia was first launched and I remember I
used to have a poster of the first landing the size of a whole wall in my
room, it was there for years. Today is a sad day for me. -Anonymous
I was in the six grade in a small school in Pennsylvania and everything
stopped that January day everyone cried!! Though we didn't know any of
those people we cried for but their bravery and the families is the
reason. Now today Feb 1, 2003 we are reliving it all over again!! For now
we lost more of our brave people on the space shuttle Columbia! My
condolences to the families of all these heroes (that's what they are are
in my book). -Missy
My wife and I were at Mike Smith's wedding. His wife, Jane Jarrell of
Charlotte, NC, was my wife's first cousin. We were all devastated, of
course. My wife & I were out shopping that day in January, 1986, and
it was during a stop at Western Auto that I learned what had happened. My
wife & I both flashed back to the Apollo 1 fire, which occurred when I
was a student in Richmond, VA. Now we are flashing back again, with the
Columbia disaster. -Warmenuf
Columbia's first space flight was shortly after my daughter was born.
Our Amarillo newspaper lauded its successful return with a glorious
photograph of the landing, and 3-inch letters proclaiming, "HAIL,
COLUMBIA!"
That was only six years after I graduated high school in the same class
with future astronaut, Rick Husband. We shared several classes during our
high school years, and we were "good acquaintances," although
not close friends. I remember him as intelligent, personable, focused,
gentlemanly, and quite a talented singer.
In 1999, before his first trip into space, he spoke to the student body
of my daughter's high school, then later the same day visited one of the
classes she was in. He outlined his own lifelong pursuit of being an
astronaut, and he exhorted the students not to hesitate to follow their
dreams.
Now, my daughter & I share the sense of personal loss, having both
been fortunate enough to have personally crossed paths with Rick Husband.
Rick died pursuing his life's dream. I can't help but think of the
poem, "High Flight," by John Gillespie Magee. I think Rick must
have identified closely with Magee's words, especially the final ones:
"And, while with silent lifting mind, I've trod the high,
untresspassed sanctity of space, put out my hand, and touched the face of
God." -TexasThornbird
I can't believe this happened with the space shuttle Columbia. They
were all almost home on Earth here, then this terrible thing had to
happen. Seven beautiful lives lost. My prayers go out to all the family
members special to the wives and husbands and mostly to the children. I
remember the day the Challenger exploded - the day before my daughter was
born. This will be a day of sadness that never will be forgotten. -Lisa
I shocked on news about Columbia's tragedy, my heart began heartsick I
said "Oh Geez" (gasp) and start to cry. So I want to say in
world and to NASA and Columbia's crews family that I say "We love ya
and we will never forget to Columbia's crews and We always to remember you
and may God always to be with you and Columbia's crews." -Ray
from Anderson, California
Not long before getting off my work shift that Feb. 1st Saturday
morning I had discovered from a co-worker that the shuttle was going to
pass nearly overhead above Albuquerque. I had never seen the shuttle speed
across the sky before so I was anticipating it. It was lovely to behold
and, at that time, it appears there was no problem with it as is raced
across the sky, not much slower it seemed than a meteor! But apparently
less than 10 minutes later, long after it had disappeared from Albuquerque
skies, it experienced the problems that led to the tragedy. I'll never
look at a future flight overhead again without a sense of sadness. Still
let us never stop exploring, at least as long as those with the spirit,
desire and courage come forward to take up that challenge...and risk. God
Bless this country and those who knew and loved those explorers! -Mark
Today is a very sad day. Your website mentioned each generation having
some poignant tragedy to look back on and remember: "Where were you
when?" I believe my generation has had enough tragedy: September
11th, and now this... is it unbelievably sad- a loss felt by the world.
But take comfort in the faith that those brave souls are home. Those
people were doing what they wanted to in life. They were living their
dreams- I hope we are all so fortunate. Finally, my heart goes out to the
families. -Vik from Saskatchewan
I was in second grade when the Challenger exploded. The teacher brought
a television into the room and we all watched and cried. I am now 25 and I
experienced the pain all over again that everyone felt 17 years ago almost
to the day... My heart goes out to all of the families of the lost. -Heather
from Pennsylvania
Ever since I was a little kid I have always dreamt of going into space.
And mark my words, "I will get there." But I have always looked
up to Astronauts because they go into the unknown for the sake of science.
When I heard that Shuttle Columbia had broken apart, I cried and I wasn't
sure If I wanted to be an astronomer. But I realize now that where they
left off...We'll pick up. But remember... I will be right there along side
them. -SpaceFreak
I was getting ready to leave my friends house just a block away from my
home when I heard the news. At that time I really didn't know what they
were talking about so I rushed home and turned on my radio and listened. I
was home all by myself, my parents had went out to eat. It was really sad
to hear that happen.
Over that past few years my school and friends have suffered a lot.
Over September 11th and then this and war, then to add on top to that some
of the 8th graders have lost brothers, grandmothers, and fathers to many
different reasons. Then this happens and I just want to send my love out
to the families and courage out to the future explorers. DON'T BE AFRAID.
-Anonymous |
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