20 years ago...

[per_solo]

Yes, this is on several journals, but for many of us, this was our "JFK". 20 years ago, Challenger exploded.

I was in...7th grade, I believe...don't think it was 8th grade. We had just finished lunch period (time is fuzzy...) and went into class. The teacher had the TV on, a little tiny TV, on top of a cabinet that he just used when it was his break time, to keep up with the news. And the newscasters were on, talking of what had happened, that no one knew anything, that all aboard were presumed dead.

Surreality became one of my words that day...up to that point, and for many years after, I'd wanted to be an Astronaut. Go figure, it seems that was the goal of many people right around my age...I still wanted to be one after that, because how else were we going to rebuild what we had? Who was going to take the place of those scared off by the danger? It wasn't until I found out just how abysmal my math skills are that the dream went away.

I remember thinking "I have to get home...I have a blank tape," Which was odd, as I only had one tape, that had several james bond films recorded off of TBS on it, "This is history...we have to record this"

I got home after school, and the phone rang..my Great Grandmother, who had always clipped NASA articles for me, to let me know what was going on with the space program, called, crying, about what a tragedy it was. I cannot remember what I said in return, but she got off the phone shortly after, to keep an eye on the news shows. I checked the VCR, and there was already a tape in there...Dad had come home at lunch and put a tape in, and started it recording.

Just went to find that tape...I still have it now, and somehow, after 20 years, it still plays with minimal tracking problems...that is a bit odd. And it's weird to be watching it now...I know I haven't watched it at all since we recorded it, but here it is, still in my collection.

Much as above...almost everyone I know or hang out with could tell you where they were when it happened. This was our "JFK"

Years later, after getting into "Fun" filk by Tom Smith and others, I picked up the Challenger Memorial cassette...and yes, it's rough to listen to...and just read that this tape was finally released on Cd..so, I'll look for that sometime.

And now I'm rambling a little. Space Flight will always be dangerous...but the possibilities of what it brings to us are fairly endless...is it worth the risk? I say yes...between the three major tragedies, including Columbia in '03 (Man..it really doesn't seem that long ago), we continue because we must.

Comments

[kathawkes.livejournal.com]

You make me feel old. It does not feel like it has been 20 years as I can remember it as if it were yesterday.