Today, I wrote to my friend Kevin J. Anderson in response to his Facebook post regarding a banquet he attended in honor of the Challenger astronauts of 25 years ago. In my response to him I wrote the following, and feel that it deserves to be shared with those, who like me, were so impacted 25 years ago by the tragedy and in honor of those who didn't let it stop us from moving closer to the stars.
On 10 January 1986 I had been sent to the library to finish my homework, and I was thrilled to be there, I knew that the Challenger would be lifting off and that the library would have it on TV to record. I turned around from my cubicle, leaving my homework unattended. I counted down with mission control. At liftoff, I said a prayer in my heart for those brave astronauts--whom I hoped to emulate someday. That prayer was answered with a soft "no" as I watched as the flames of rockets became the flames and smoke of utter destruction and we lost seven heroes that day. And true to the real American spirit, we did not let that deter us from returning to space. My world has been forever changed by that day. I still hope to go to space, some day. And when I do, I will leave a copy of a book or something in orbit, to honor Christa and the other six who join Gus Grissom and the other brave pioneers whose legacy will one day lead humanity to the stars.
