Whilst we take a break from any other disagreements we may have, I’m sure you will all join me in sparing a thought for those lives lost in the Columbia Shuttle tragedy.
It made me think of the lives that must have been lost on the railroads, especially during those early pioneering days, pushing back the frontiers of exploration.
That sort of bravery and spirit built this country.
God bless them and their families.
My wife’s sister taught the STS 107 crew the computer languages needed to operate the Columbia. I can promise you this. They were right where they wanted to be, doing exactly what they wantd to do. All things being equal, if offered the opportunity to go again, every one of them would’t hesitate. They are the Lewis and Clark’s of this generation. They dont go for the ego trip, they dont go to be famous, (can you name the last shuttle pilot?), they go because they have a need to learn, it compels them to go to the edge, and often to step off, because they have to see whats out there. Where did we come from, how did we get here, where are we going? These are the question they wanted answered. America has few modern heros, these are among the unsung ones of today. And there is a new crew, standing by, ready to step up and go, knowing full well there is no guarantee of a ticket back home. Thats beyond courage.
To Brenda, your faith will hold you up, your friends are with their Gods.
My deepest sympathy for the extended family at NASA and the JSC.
For the crew of STS 108, your turn.
And to the crew os STS 107, my your sails be full, and the wind be at you backs, God Bless you.
God willing we will all join them some day in a much better place than this, and tell them in person how we felt the day they passed from this earth. May God bless them, and us all!
The news media and pop culture offer us so many tawdry, false, and unworthy “heroes.” These were the real thing.
Dave Nelson
I couldn’t agree with you more Dave.
Ken