The events of the last few days are hard to put in words. As I watch the coverage, I am so taken by the heroism ... not only the heroism of our fallen heros, but of their families, friends and co-workers. Most of you have probably seen or have heard the following poem.....but I think it is appropriate at a time such as this....it speaks to the passion that each of our astronauts have for 'flight'
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth-- And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth-- Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of. — wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence.
Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .
Up! Up the long, delirious burning blue--
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod--
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand --
---and touched the face of God.
-- John Gillespie Magee, Jr
(makes my eyes leak every time I read it.....)
President Ronald Reagan, addressing NASA employees following the tragic loss of the Challenger 7 crew on STS-51L, used the poem in a well-remembered line:
"We shall never forget them nor the last time we saw them, as they prepared for their mission and waved good-bye and slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God."
[ 03. February 2003, 11:04 PM: Message edited by: Fbodfather ]
Posted by 99PewterSS (Member # 564) on :
I couldn't have said it better. I found a RealAudio clip of Reagan's Challenger address the other night.
It seems as though his speech back in '86 applies just as significantly to the Columbia tragedy.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Well said.
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :
Amen
Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :
God Bless... Amen indeed.
Posted by Bello SS (Member # 1304) on :
They served our country, now they rest in peace.
Amen
Posted by amy00ss (Member # 106) on :
Amen
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
Well said! Posted by chrisL (Member # 97) on :
Posted by NATESS (Member # 982) on :
well said indeed
Posted by cytruffle (Member # 1733) on :
for those of us in texas, last saturday was a crystal clear, cool, beautiful day---however, i wonder how many others living under the path that the shuttle took felt, as i did, an overwhelming sadness looking up at that blue sky and knowing that the ashes of a tragedy were falling down on us as we went on about our lives...
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
