We Waved Goodbye

Space Shuttle Challenger Crew

FOX News reports on this day, a day thirty years ago we lost the Space Shuttle Challenger, that "Family members of Challenger victims to mark 30 years since shuttle disaster".

"It's going to be wonderful to watch the pages turn,"  said June Scobee Rodgers, widow of Challenger commander Dick Scobee, earlier this week. The second generation "can now speak for our family and speak for the nation," she said, adding that she's looking forward to these grown astronauts' children "sharing their stories, their beliefs and their leadership."

Americans, and certainly us Floridians living near Kennedy Space Center, share a sense of pride of our space program. Space exploration is most dangerous, and is only reserved for our bravest pioneers.

It was a dark day for America.

The Challenger mission was noteworthy for having a civilian astronaut, Christa McAuliffe, a teacher who took the hearts of students across the fruited plain with her on her voyage.

In similar fashion to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, most remember where they were when the tragic, televised event, took place.

I recall watching it unfold in the cafeteria of my fraternity house at Florida State University; it was approaching the lunch hour.  Within a half hour of it occurring, I picked up my now wife after her class and sadly informed her of what had transpired.

With the eyes of America swelling in tears, President Ronald Reagan addressed the nation with beautiful words and elegant grace. Reagan spoke for all of America, and today we remember with heavy hearts the lost crew of the Challenger Space Shuttle.