A little over 18 years ago, Challenger was lost shortly after liftoff.

A year ago yesterday, Columbia was lost on re-entry.

Each took seven brave souls with her.

Now would be a good time to read (or re-read) Bill Whittle's extraordinary essay, Courage.

Of course, the risks we private pilots face pales in comparison to our military fliers, and is absolutely nothing compared to that met eye-to-eye by men and women like Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Dave Brown, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, Mike Anderson, and Ilan Ramon; nor does it require the courage and skill of Dick Scobee, Mike Smith, Ron McNair, El Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Greg Jarvis or Judy Resnik. These are the last crews of Columbia, and Challenger before her, buried with their ships in the skies over Florida and Texas.

Go read it.

Don't rush through it. Take your time, and savour every word.

...

Dick Scobee, Mike Smith, Ron McNair, El Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Greg Jarvis and Judy Resnik.

Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Dave Brown, Laurel Clark, Kalpana Chawla, Mike Anderson, and Ilan Ramon.

...

Remember their courage.

And remember them.

Posted by Russ at 10:41 PM, February 2, 2004 in Bloggery