posted 01-21-2021 09:42 AM               

NASA Pays Tribute to Fallen Heroes with Day of Remembrance

NASA will honor members of the NASA family who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, including the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, during the agency's annual Day of Remembrance Thursday, Jan. 28. This year's NASA Day of Remembrance also marks 35 years since the Challenger tragedy.

"NASA has a unique culture that is fueled by possibility, set on a path to the next giant leap for humanity, and guided by its history," said NASA Acting Administrator Steve Jurczyk. "The lessons of our past are the enduring legacy of the brave women and men who did not put limits on what could be achieved, and we all recognize the honor of being counted among them as part of the NASA family."

Jurczyk will lead an observance at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, which will begin with a traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by observances for the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia crews.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year's event will be limited to invited guests and closed to media.

Various NASA centers also will hold observances on the Day of Remembrance. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance will be limited at these events, and CDC-recommended health and safety protocols – including physical distancing and face coverings – will be followed.

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in partnership with The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, will host a Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Space Mirror Memorial at Kennedy's Visitor Complex with limited in-person invited guests. The ceremony will feature remarks by Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana, as well as retired space shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach, and Astronauts Memorial Foundation President and CEO Thad Altman. The ceremony will livestream on Facebook at 11 a.m. EST.

Johnson Space Center, Houston

NASA's Johnson Space Center will hold a commemoration at the Astronaut Memorial Grove with limited in-person invited guests. The ceremony will feature remarks by Johnson Center Director Mark Geyer, as well as Cheryl McNair, widow of Challenger astronaut Ronald McNair, NASA astronaut Drew Feustel, and former Johnson Center Director George Abbey.

Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center will observe Day of Remembrance with a prerecorded observance featuring remarks from Marshall Center Director Jody Singer, NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, and a moment of silence. The event will appear on YouTube and will be shared on the center's social media account.

Glenn Research Center, Cleveland

NASA's Glenn Research center will observe Day of Remembrance with a virtual observance for Glenn staff only.

posted 01-27-2021 03:27 PM               

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to Host Annual NASA Day of Remembrance

NASA, in partnership with The Astronauts Memorial Foundation and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, will host NASA's Day of Remembrance on Thursday, January 28 at the Space Mirror Memorial. The ceremony will honor all astronauts who have sacrificed their lives while furthering the cause of space exploration and discovery. Robert Cabana, director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center, and Mike Leinbach, retired space shuttle launch director, will speak at the ceremony.

The commemoration and the wreath laying ceremony will take place at the Space Mirror Memorial. Attendees will be given flowers to pay respects to our fallen heroes.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Challenger accident. All crew members, including Christa McAuliffe who would have been the first teacher in space, are commemorated in the Forever Remembered exhibit at the visitor complex. Others lost include Gregory Jarvis, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Francis Scobee, and Michael Smith.

As always, the health and safety of crew members and guests is the highest priority for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has implemented safety protocols to ensure a trusted space for the well-being of our crew and guests in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions recommendations.

• Thursday, January 28
  Ceremony Begins: 11 a.m. EST

• Space Mirror Memorial
  Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

• Speakers:
  Robert Cabana, NASA Kennedy Space Center
  Mike Leinbach, retired space shuttle launch director
  Cynthia Watkins, retired Lt. Colonel (singing the national anthem)

• Additional Attendees:
  Lowell Grissom (brother of astronaut Gus Grissom)
  Sheryl Chaffee (daughter of astronaut Roger Chaffee)
  Therrin Protze, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

posted 01-28-2021 05:08 PM               

Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk speaks to NASA personnel and others during a wreath laying ceremony as part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

posted 01-28-2021 05:12 PM               

Flowers placed before the Space Mirror Memorial mark NASA's Day of Remembrance at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Jan. 28, 2021.

posted 01-28-2021 05:14 PM               

Each January, NASA honors members of the NASA family who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, including the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, during the agency's annual Day of Remembrance. As we remember them today, their bravery and dedication continue to inspire us. We carry the lessons they taught us forward as we pursue our mission to the Moon and beyond.

This year's virtual observance includes Marshall Center Director Jody Singer, astronaut Butch Wilmore, and Bill Hill, Director of Marshall's Office of Safety & Mission Assurance.

posted 01-28-2021 05:19 PM               

On the grounds and in the skies at NASA's Johnson Space Center on this Day of Remembrance, a ceremony at the Astronaut Tree Grove includes a T-38 flyover to honor the fallen crew members of Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia with their families.

posted 01-30-2021 03:05 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jonnyed:
I presume the T-38s are NASA's

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