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Members of
the Space Shuttle Columbia Crew
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Saturday, February 1, 2003 the Space Shuttle
Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry to the earth's atmosphere. All seven
crew members, six Americans and one Israeli, were lost.
IN MEMORIAM The members of Columbia's crew were each highly trained and
highly respected individuals. Their loss deals a great blow to the Space
Shuttle program, though the President pledged today that the program would
go on. The members of the crew were: |
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Lt. Colonel Michael Anderson
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Ilan Ramon, Colonel,
Israeli Air Force
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Two members of the
Columbia crew are known to be people of faith and prayer. Colonel Rick D.
Husband spoke openly of the many joyful experiences he had, including the birth
of his children, "Just being there with my wife, and just the awesome experience
of seeing a baby come into the world--and just being so overwhelmed with God's
goodness in blessing us with two wonderful children." Husband also spoke of his
love of music and singing, "Well, I've been singing for a long time. When I was
growing up going to church, I sang in church choir as a real little
kid...Especially with some of the songs that we sing in church, just being able
to sing a song to tell God how much I love Him, it just feels great. It really
does."
Lieutenant Colonel
Michael P. Anderson was active in his church and though quiet, his pastor said
he was a man of solid faith. Reflecting on the many people who have influenced
his life, including teachers and ministers, he commented, "As you look back at
your life, there are just a million different things that have happened, just in
the right way, to allow you to make your dreams come true. And you know, someone
has all that under control."
ON TUESDAY THE CREW HAD OBSERVED A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR OTHER NASA DISASTERS
In a chilling irony,
members of the Columbia crew observed a moment of silence on Tuesday, January 28
in honor of the lives that had been lost in both the Apollo One and Challenger
missions and all others who have lost their lives in the quest to explore space.
Columbia's team leader, Rick Husband called the Johnson Space Center on Tuesday
afternoon saying,
"It is today
that we remember and honor the crews of Apollo 1 and Challenger. They made the
ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives and service to their country and for
all mankind. Their dedication and devotion to the exploration of space was an
inspiration to each of us, and still motivates people around the world to
achieve great things in service to others. As we orbit the Earth, we will join
the entire NASA family for a moment of silence in their memory. Our thoughts
and prayers go to their families as well"
--STS-107 commander Rick Husband.
The moment of
silence was followed by ringing a bell for each astronaut that has died in the
line of duty.
PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSE
In light of the tragedy, President Bush requested
prayer for the families and loved ones of the shuttle Columbia's crew.
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President spoke to the nation this afternoon, offering these words of gratitude
to the brave astronauts who lost their lives:
"My fellow
Americans, this day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our country.
At 9:00 a.m. this morning, Mission Control in Houston lost contact with our
Space Shuttle Columbia. A short time later, debris was seen falling from the
skies above Texas. The Columbia is lost; there are no survivors.
On board was a crew of
seven: Colonel Rick Husband; Lt. Colonel Michael Anderson; Commander Laurel
Clark; Captain David Brown; Commander William McCool; Dr. Kalpana Chawla; and
Ilan Ramon, a Colonel in the Israeli Air Force. These men and women assumed
great risk in the service to all humanity.
In an age when
space flight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook the dangers
of travel by rocket, and the difficulties of navigating the fierce outer
atmosphere of the Earth. These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them
willingly, knowing they had a high and noble purpose in life. Because of their
courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more.
All Americans today are thinking, as well, of the families of these men and
women who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You're not alone. Our
entire nation grieves with you. And those you loved will always have the respect
and gratitude of this country.
The cause in which they died will continue. Mankind is led into the darkness
beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand.
Our journey into space will go on.
In the skies today we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see
there is comfort and hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, 'Lift your eyes
and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry
hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and
mighty strength, not one of them is missing' (Isaiah 40:25-26).
The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we
mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth;
yet we can pray that all are safely home.
May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America."
--George W. Bush
Prayer points for today:
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Pray for
the President as he and his fellow leaders provide comfort and direction
in the aftermath of the tragedy. |
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Pray for
the families and loved ones of Columbia's crew-for their comfort, their
courage, and their strength. The names of the astronauts are listed
above. |
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Pray for
Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge as he coordinates the federal
response to the tragedy. |
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Pray for
the dozens of local law enforcement agencies that will be involved in
recovering debris from the Columbia. Pray for their safety and
protection, and for the public to cooperate with their efforts.
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Pray for
the nation of Israel which has lost a national hero in astronaut Ilan
Ramon. |
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