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Gator Lager · 10:08 AM

It's hard to believe, but it has been 3 years since the loss of the Crew and Columbia.
I knew Doc (Dave) Brown and met and spoke with Cmdr Husband only once. As for the other members of the crew, I never spoke with them. But if they were near they were available. They all were great people and friends.

I remember receiving a phone call from a friend/coworker that morning. He said we've lost Columbia. ? huh was my reply. I turned on the Television and well you know the rest. Thing is, the crew was first and foremost on my and everyone else's mind. But Columbia was there also. It's funny how you can get attached to some inanimate object. But Columbia was family. Of all the orbiters, I knew Columbia the best. I've busted my head ? I don't know how many times in the Aft compartment. I always said when Columbia flew, I flew. Well my blood, sweat and tears (from hitting my head) that is.

She was the oldest (and looked it) of the fleet. But that was just on the outside. She was given the name of penguin, as in black and white flightless bird, at one point. She could be a real pain in the ass to get into space, but all the Astronauts said the same thing. She was the best to fly in.

I'll stop here and again please don't misunderstand, I miss the Crew deeply. But I also miss Columbia.

Bob Crippen said it the best, Houston morns the loss of 7, we at the Cape morn the loss of 8.

HAIL the 107 CREW and HAIL COLUMBIA

aberdeenwriter · Feb 1, 2006, 02:03 AM

Originally Posted by Gator Lager

It's hard to believe, but it has been 4 years since the loss of the Crew and Columbia.
I knew Doc (Dave) Brown and met and spoke with Cmdr Husband only once. As for the other members of the crew, I never spoke with them. But if they were near they were available. They all were great people and friends.

I remember receiving a phone call from a friend/coworker that morning. He said we've lost Columbia. ? huh was my reply. I turned on the Television and well you know the rest. Thing is, the crew was first and foremost on my and everyone else's mind. But Columbia was there also. It's funny how you can get attached to some inanimate object. But Columbia was family. Of all the orbiters, I knew Columbia the best. I've busted my head ? I don't know how many times in the Aft compartment. I always said when Columbia flew, I flew. Well my blood, sweat and tears (from hitting my head) that is.

She was the oldest (and looked it) of the fleet. But that was just on the outside. She was given the name of penguin, as in black and white flightless bird, at one point. She could be a real pain in the ass to get into space, but all the Astronauts said the same thing. She was the best to fly in.

I'll stop here and again please don't misunderstand, I miss the Crew deeply. But I also miss Columbia.

Bob Crippen said it the best, Houston morns the loss of 7, we at the Cape morn the loss of 8.

HAIL the 107 CREW and HAIL COLUMBIA

Gator, I, and the world mourned the loss at the time and it seems rather odd that time has passed so quickly since then.

I had just finished a night shift and was out, 'in the streets' running around after sleeping late. When the first word hit me I tried tuning the car radio to the radio station where I was employed, a NEWS/TALK station.

It seems there was a live, in-studio local money talk show going on and the producer wouldn't switch to network news coverage until an hour (or more) later. By that time I'd gotten home and began watching on TV.

That was a disgraceful moment in station history.

Anyway, I am impressed that you were that close to the Shuttle program and I am sorry for your personal loss.

Philip J. Fry · Feb 1, 2006, 05:44 AM

Odd, I thought it was only 3 years ago...even still, such a sad tragedy.

Dakar · Feb 1, 2006, 07:14 AM

I always mourn set backs in the space program. And of course, I salute those who took put their lives on the line, and were unfortunate enough to know the fate they met on their descent.

chabig · Feb 1, 2006, 07:34 AM

I knew and worked with Dave Brown for 2 years--what a great guy, and a great friend. He was a seriously die-hard Mac aficionado, I don't think a lot of people know that about him. He carried and used an Apple Newton as well.

Rick Husband and I knew each other as acquaintances, though not well.

Feb 1 was a terrible day for me. I first learned of the shuttle's breakup here on MacNN that morning--someone posted it in the forums. Then I was glued to the TV all day.

Chris

aberdeenwriter · Feb 1, 2006, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by chabig

I knew and worked with Dave Brown for 2 years--what a great guy, and a great friend. He was a seriously die-hard Mac aficionado, I don't think a lot of people know that about him. He carried and used an Apple Newton as well.

Rick Husband and I knew each other as acquaintances, though not well.

Feb 1 was a terrible day for me. I first learned of the shuttle's breakup here on MacNN that morning--someone posted it in the forums. Then I was glued to the TV all day.

Chris

To you and Gator and whoever else that might show up here in this thread who had a personal connection, I extend to you my deepest regrets on this solemn day.

Gator Lager · 10:08 AM

aberdeenwriter

thanks

Originally Posted by chabig
I knew and worked with Dave Brown for 2 years--what a great guy, and a great friend. He was a seriously die-hard Mac aficionado

That I did not know. Wow. The times we spoke usually involved the space program.
Big surprise huh

The two things about him I remember the most was his smile and them damn camera's he always carried. Ha. So Chris

you knew him better than I. Sure wish I'd known about the Mac thing. I'm out numbered at the Cape for being a Mac user.

This part of the year is sad for the Cape. The reasons are, the Apollo 1 on 27 January 1967,
Space Shuttle Challenger January 28, 1986 and Columbia on February 1 2003. But that's the Cape it's always involves challenges and risk taking. So HAIL to ALL THE CREW's.

On a more positive note: Global-Flyer ( http://www.virginatlanticglobalflyer.com/ )
it's in the hanger next to the Shuttle landing/runway. Ready for another challenge. Well it's not ours but another challenger to things that can't be done, or so they say.
I'll try and get some photo's.

Gator Lager · Feb 1, 2006, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Philip J. Fry

Odd, I thought it was only 3 years ago...even still, such a sad tragedy.

it has only been 3 years. damn lower levels of math get to ya. duh on me.

olePigeon · Feb 1, 2006, 11:48 AM

Something that keeps me smiling on on the Challenger and Columbia anniversaries is John Glenn. I don't remember which show it was, but he was doing an interview on it shortly after his return to space. They talked about the Challenger, Apollo 1 and 13, and the dangers of going into space.

On his way out there was some guy on the sidelines with a big sign and yelling at John saying that the whole moon landing was faked. That no one was in danger.

He ran over and clocked the guy in the face. He spent the night in jail, but man was it worth it.

wdlove · Feb 1, 2006, 12:58 PM

Any loss of live is very sad. They were doing what they loved. It was in service to their country. I admire how bravely they served.

Philip J. Fry · Feb 1, 2006, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by Gator Lager

it has only been 3 years. damn lower levels of math get to ya. duh on me.

Oh I wasn't look to correct anyone...I had to think a minute though lol...such a sad loss that day. I remember getting up to go to the dentist that morning for a filling and they had it on the news in the waiting room :/