Comments about the Shuttle Disaster
04/07/03 16:17:49 CDT I watched the last Columbia launch from the banks of the Indian River, just across from NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building. Everything looked perfect to the naked eye.
On 02/01/03, I sat in my office at home, also on the Space Coast, having an e-mail chat with my buddy, George James, RAM-'66. Our chat turned to a discussion of him coming to FL, staying in our vacation rental house (where I viewed the launch) and the possibility of watching a future launch. During our chat, the anticipated sonic boom never came. My wife ran in and told me the suspicions being reported on TV. I told George the news and we ended the chat abruptly.
Life has been subdued here ever since. The pride, concern and responsiblity that this area has for the Space Program is huge. I was just elected President of the Space Coast Georgia Tech Club and many of our members work in the Space Program. Our local paper, Florida Today, has really dug into the investigation and is a great on-line source if your local coverage has fallen off since the start of the war.
I wear a gold Shuttle lapel pin every day. I will not quit wearing it until another Shuttle lands safely. I placed a message on our business' sign on US 1 that says it all for me: HEARTS BROKEN; MINDS NUMB; DREAMS INTACT!
Our proud birds will fly again. Come down and watch. It's a glorious sight and, I believe, a noble pursuit.
Joe Goldblatt <goldgrp@aol.com> , 1966; Rockledge, FL
02/04/03 15:38:33 CST When we heard about this, we thought about the parents and other family members of these seven. We can truly say, 'We know how you feel.' We lost our only child in a sudden accident. As we tell others, 'you don't get over it, you learn, in time, to live with it.' We know these seven, as was our son, doing what they wanted to be doing: making this world a better place for all of us. ...David & Sara
David Meadows <davidmea@bellsouth.net> , 1965; Pinson, AL