paulnikon

It has been three years.

This picture still makes me cry.

February 1, 2003 I cried more that day than any day of my life. I have grown up with the space program. Born in Florida in March, 1970. A month later my family and I watched Appollo 13 take off. No, I have no memory of it. But, as NASA grew, so did I.

Columbia's final launch was minutes before a class started. Children from the day care on campus were lined up. At first I couldn't figure out what they were doing. Then I realized. Took the time to watch the shuttle go before class.

Maybe that is why it is so painful. I shared the launch. With the people in the picture. And those children.

Unfortunately, no work or school for me the day Columbia was due to return. Instead of watching it land a few miles North of me, I watched it fall apart on tv.

The Crew: Colonel Rick Husband, Commander William McCool, Lt. Colonel Michael Anderson, Captain David Brown, Commander Laurel Clark, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, and Israeli Colonel Ilan Ramon.