I remember gathering around the TV that was wheeled into our 6th grade class room.
 
It was 25 years ago today.


Space Shuttle launches were becoming more routine and less people stopped to watch.  My family always still did.  I recall waiting with baited breath the mornings of the shuttle launches.  Part of being in the Air Force I would assume.  It was still fascinating to watch someone lift off into outer space.

This mission however was especially interesting to school children and teachers all over the USA, because the first teacher was going into space.  What an enormous opportunity.

We all watched with eager eyes.

I'll never forget it.

I remember the voice said, "Throttle Up"  and then something happened that we had never seen before.  I know there was confusion.  I know people couldn't quite figure out what they were seeing.  But we had witnessed enough launchings to know it was not what was supposed to happen. 

I remember hearing the words.  I remember seeing the blast, the smoke, the pieces shooting off in three seperate directions across the Florida sky.  I remember my teacher gasping and putting her hands to her face.

It's crazy to think this was 25 years ago, as the images in my mind's eye can still see it all perfectly.  The classroom, the TV we were watching it on, my classmates, my teacher... the sounds. 

25 years and I remember it like it happened this morning.

I will remember that day always. 

God Bless