We were driving from Maasmechelen to Mons that evening over in Belgium (I was living there thanks to the Navy at the time), right before they launched the shuttle and I was saying they should wait until things warm up since those engines are heavily affected by temperature and weather conditions.
I was driving to work and the announcer had said, "There goes Christa McAuliffe for the ride of her life." Then the explosion. I had to stop the car for a long time...
I was in the Army when it happened. We were training in a place called Doughboy City in Berlin, Germany. Someone brought a TV out that evening and we were huddled around firebarrels trying to keep warm while squinting at a 5 inch screen.
It will be permanently ingrained in my mind ... like how the older generation remembers where they were when JFK was assassinated.
I was working at a doctor's office when the news came on the radio. With an office full of patients, I couldn't run outside, but Mr. Cube was watching the launch and knew there was something very wrong with the plume. He called me as soon as he was able to get to a phone.
I don't recall how long after that day, but long before the official inquiry into the cause, one of our patients, whose dad worked at NASA, told me it had been caused by the effect of cold on an 'O' ring.
Those were sad times not just for the families, and the public, but for the country.
I cry every single time I see that tape of the explosion on TV...every single time. I think we all felt like it cut a part of our hearts out, don't you?
I was in my 3rd grade classroom when this tragedy happened. Its hard to believe that it has been 25 years since this awful explosion happened. This is yet another moment in history that I will never forget.
Z: Yes, I took the loss hard as well. I think we all did.
Since the inception of the shuttle program, we tried to watch every launch because we can see the plume from our area. I'm glad I missed this one because I had to work. The heartbreak would've been worse had I seen it live.
We were driving from Maasmechelen to Mons that evening over in Belgium (I was living there thanks to the Navy at the time), right before they launched the shuttle and I was saying they should wait until things warm up since those engines are heavily affected by temperature and weather conditions.
ReplyDeleteI was driving to work and the announcer had said, "There goes Christa McAuliffe for the ride of her life." Then the explosion. I had to stop the car for a long time...
ReplyDeleteI always remember the picture of them walking to the shuttle. Haunting image
ReplyDeleteI remember watching during class. It was elementary school, so most of the kids didn't realize right away what was going on.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe it has been 25 years.
I may have been in middle school when this happened, but I remember it.
ReplyDeleteI was in the Army when it happened. We were training in a place called Doughboy City in Berlin, Germany. Someone brought a TV out that evening and we were huddled around firebarrels trying to keep warm while squinting at a 5 inch screen.
ReplyDeleteIt will be permanently ingrained in my mind ... like how the older generation remembers where they were when JFK was assassinated.
I was working at a doctor's office when the news came on the radio. With an office full of patients, I couldn't run outside, but Mr. Cube was watching the launch and knew there was something very wrong with the plume. He called me as soon as he was able to get to a phone.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall how long after that day, but long before the official inquiry into the cause, one of our patients, whose dad worked at NASA, told me it had been caused by the effect of cold on an 'O' ring.
Those were sad times not just for the families, and the public, but for the country.
I cry every single time I see that tape of the explosion on TV...every single time. I think we all felt like it cut a part of our hearts out, don't you?
ReplyDeletewow it doesnt seem that long ! Have a beautiful weekend~!:)
ReplyDeleteI was in my 3rd grade classroom when this tragedy happened. Its hard to believe that it has been 25 years since this awful explosion happened. This is yet another moment in history that I will never forget.
ReplyDeleteZ: Yes, I took the loss hard as well. I think we all did.
ReplyDeleteSince the inception of the shuttle program, we tried to watch every launch because we can see the plume from our area. I'm glad I missed this one because I had to work. The heartbreak would've been worse had I seen it live.
WomanHonorThyself: Time flies.
ReplyDeleteTeresa: I'll never forget it either.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't around for this, but I can remember the Columbia explosion that took place nearly two decades later.
ReplyDeleteI was fourteen years old at the time and remember being very touched by the fact that President Bush wept over the event.