Texas salutes crew of Columbia: Five-year later

William Atkins
Friday, 01 February 2008 22:56

Opinion and Analysis

Five years ago, on February 1, 2003, NASA’s crew aboard the space shuttle Columbia was killed as they descended into Earth’s atmosphere over Texas. Today, Texas remembers.        

Memorial ceremonies around the United States are being held for the U.S. astronauts. NASA provided coverage of the Astronauts Memorial Foundation’s remembrance service at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex earlier at 10:00 a.m. EST on February 1.

For more information, please read the iTWire article “NASA televises Columbia remembrance ceremony on 5th anniversary.”

Here are a few articles showing the impact that Columbia and its crew made on various towns in Texas, and their people.

Nacogdoches, Texas: CBC News “Texas Town Marks Shuttle Crash Anniversary”

Lufkin, Texas: Lufkin Daily News “Five years after Columbia disaster, East Texas is national historic destination”

Dallas, Texas: Dallas Morning News “When space shuttle fell 5 years ago, they rose: Shoved into disaster, sheriff became a hero."

Tyler, Texas: Tyler Morning Telegraph “East Texas Remembers Day Shuttle Fell."

I’d like to quote from the Lufkin Daily News article:

"Their mission became our mission" are heartfelt words that have come to represent the following days and months as regular citizens set aside their jobs and personal time to comb the woods, cook food to serve the troops and find housing for out-of-town volunteers."

"Since then, the town has vigilantly recognized the anniversary of the demise of space shuttle Columbia each Feb. 1 about 8 a.m., welcoming back volunteers who had come to help search and NASA family — all of whom the town has come to call 'friends.'"

"Whereas past ceremonies have been held in solemn reverence to the deceased, including two searchers who died in a helicopter crash, with a 21-gun salute, taps, and eulogies, this time event planners say they want to encourage a happy, optimistic spirit of moving forward."

"'We are trying to keep it as upbeat as possible, and looking toward the future of the space program,' said co-event planner Belinda Gay. 'Things happen in our life we didn't plan, but you keep going forward.'"

On February 1, 2008, NASA states on its website: “NASA Remembers”

I hope NASA will continue to remember the astronauts who have given their lives for the exploration of space and the betterment of life here on Earth.

As NASA states on its website, its motto is: “For the benefit of all.”

Please read on. Mission, Safety, Goal, People....