Because we must never, ever forget their names

[thatcrazycajun]

Forty-two years ago yesterday, Lt. Col. Virgil Ivan "Gus" Grissom (US Air Force), Lt. Col. Edward Higgins White II (USAF) and Lt. Cmdr. Roger Bruce Chaffee (US Navy) became America's first martyrs to the cause of space exploration. I was 3.5 years old in my birthplace of Lafayette, LA.

Twenty-three years ago today, Capt. Gregory Bruce Jarvis (USAF), Lt. Col. Ellison Shoji Onizuka (USAF), Lt. Col. Francis Richard "Dick" Scobee (USAF), Capt. Michael John Smith (USN) and civilian mission specialists Judith Arlene Resnik, Ph.D., Sharon Christa Corrigan McAuliffe and Ronald Ervin McNair, Ph.D. became seven more. I was 22 and living in New Orleans, half a year out of college and in my very first real full-time job as a graphic designer for a sign company.

And just six years ago this coming Sunday, we lost yet another seven: Col. Richard Douglas "Rick" Husband (USAF), Cmdr. William Cameron "Willie" McCool (USN), Lt. Col. Michael Phillip Anderson, M.S. (USAF), Navy Capts. David McDowell Brown, M.D. and Laurel Blair Salton Clark, M.D., Col. Ilan Ramon (Israeli Air Force) and civilian specialist Kalpana Chawla, Ph.D. I was about to hit the big 4-0 and living with the Songbird in Philadelphia, getting ready for our move south to Atlanta the next month.

To the crews of Apollo 1, STS-51-L Challenger and STS-107 Columbia, and all the others from every nation who gave their lives to pave our way to the stars...no thanks can ever possibly be even close to enough—but thank you all.

Comments

[luscious-words.livejournal.com]

Wow, I didn't realize today was the anniversary of the Challenger tragedy. I remember it being a snow day so I was sitting at home, watching TV. It was so sad to read of the losses and I remember, years later when I worked at the newspaper, staring at a framed front page covering the disaster.

[dsthomas.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever told you this, but thank you for these updates.

I would hate to think that these courageous people gave their lives for naught only to be forgotten by those for whom they gave their lives. And yes, they GAVE. Willingly. They knew the risks yet they took them anyway. Why? Because they believed in what they were doing. I only hope that we do not abandon our quest for understanding the rest of the 'world' which consists of the universe and other galaxies out there. Just waiting for us to discover and explore them.

Yeah, I'm a Trekkie!

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, from another Trekkie/Trekker/Trekfan from waaaaay back.

[dsthomas.livejournal.com]

I'm a second generation fan. But I've been loyal!

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

I'm second gen myself, having only gotten interested in the show during the early syndication years of the 1970s.