posted 01-28-2006 06:35 AM               

The remains of the Challenger astronauts were moved from the Kennedy Space Center to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, via a Military Airlift Command C-141 on April 29, 1986. NASA officials, a military honor guard and escorts from the Astronaut Office were present at the Shuttle Landing Facility for the departure. Here astronaut Dan Brandenstein accompanies the remains of Christa McAuliffe.

posted 01-28-2006 09:58 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick:
Is there not another photo that could've been found to remember this day?

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That goes directly in my own " Top 10 CS Most Useless Posts".

Ed, like always... more than ever, thanks for that picture. Though one can put a touch of glamour in the most sinister occasion, through films, poems or whatever, and make the nasty truth of death and loss something more acceptable, sometimes, it's also useful to remember the sad and cold reality of facts. Apparently, for some, it's too much to handle.

I'm sure there's a lovely patch with great colours and seven lovely stars plus a nice text to buy somewhere. It won't be disturbing. In fact, it might even be cheap.

posted 01-28-2006 04:32 PM               

Especially today... thanks for that photo. I thought it incredibly moving, appropriate, and indeed respectful. Because of your kindness in posting this photo, all of us got to see another way that these seven great astronauts were honored... and having never seen this photo before, it really moved me. I don't think the photo necessarily makes us remember only death... if that's the case, then maybe we didn't know their lives deeply enough to begin with. For me, when I look at this photo, it is a solemn and noble tribute to seven incredible individuals who really really lived fully, individuals I truly emulate daily believe it or not. Ed, I'm grateful you posted this photo. It rings of honor, and I thank you.

posted 01-29-2006 07:57 AM               

No, there is no way to make death palatalbe ... to make it "nicer," so to speak. My response was in consideration to the families of the Challenger crew (not to those of Apollo 1 and Columbia). What must it be like to have the rest of the world remember your loved ones by endlessly displaying video and still images of the event that killed them? In the end, I simply thought it would've been more appropriate to post something of the Challenger crew in life, rather than death.

Consider this. Many, if not all of you, have lost someone close. Do you put a picture of them -- a snapshot at some special event, a family portrait, whatever -- or a picture of their hearse over the mantle to remember them by? Personally, I go with the family portrait.

posted 01-29-2006 08:03 AM               

Thanks to everyone for their input.

posted 01-29-2006 02:05 PM               

From one space enthusiast to another, please accept my apologies if my original post came across as overly harsh as well. Your collection is a mind-boggling resource, and I look forward to each and every installment. Please, as you've been asked so many times before, keep 'em coming.

posted 01-30-2006 12:08 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Rick:
Ed:

Please, as you've been asked so many times before, keep 'em coming.

Rick

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Don't worry, Rick, I will!

Ed

posted 01-30-2006 12:26 AM               

Keep the photos coming!