Remarks by the President on the Loss of Space Shuttle Columbia

**Mom23boys** · 02-01-2003, 08:33 PM

THE PRESIDENT: My fellow Americans, this day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our country. At 9:00 a.m. this morning, Mission Control in Houston lost contact with our Space Shuttle Columbia. A short time later, debris was seen falling from the skies above Texas. The Columbia is lost; there are no survivors.

On board was a crew of seven: Colonel Rick Husband; Lt. Colonel Michael Anderson; Commander Laurel Clark; Captain David Brown; Commander William McCool; Dr. Kalpana Chawla; and Ilan Ramon, a Colonel in the Israeli Air Force. These men and women assumed great risk in the service to all humanity.

In an age when space flight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook the dangers of travel by rocket, and the difficulties of navigating the fierce outer atmosphere of the Earth. These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them willingly, knowing they had a high and noble purpose in life. Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more.

All Americans today are thinking, as well, of the families of these men and women who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You're not alone. Our entire nation grieves with you. And those you loved will always have the respect and gratitude of this country.

The cause in which they died will continue. Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on.

In the skies today we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see there is comfort and hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home.

May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America.

**mustang80** · 02-01-2003, 08:47 PM

This part really gets me. I cry every time I hear it.

"The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home."

**Mom23boys** · 02-01-2003, 08:51 PM

That does bring a tear to my eye to Danielle.

**TheCottageRose** · 02-01-2003, 08:56 PM

Me too, Danielle....I am so thankful for a President who is strong in his Faith, he has sure needed it as he inherited the dipping economy, then 9/11, now this.

God bless all the families affected.

**scooby** · 02-01-2003, 09:00 PM

Originally posted by TheCottageRose
Me too, Danielle....I am so thankful for a President who is strong in his Faith, he has sure needed it as he inherited the dipping economy, then 9/11, now this.

God bless all the families affected.

Well said Melissa.

**homesteadmamma** · 02-01-2003, 09:04 PM

I have to agree also. Everytime I hear his speech, it brings tears to my eyes. I'm glad also that you have a president that is very strong in his faith!!

**dz_blonde_girl** · 02-02-2003, 07:29 AM

That was beautiful, thanks so much for posting it. I had to work yesterday and only got bits and pieces, here and there. What a terrible tragedy.

**Belinda** · 02-02-2003, 08:30 AM

I agree, I admire President Bush so much for sharing his faith, our country has really needed his kind of leadership, throughout the tragedies of the past couple of years.

**pamy** · 02-03-2003, 07:14 AM

It made me tear up again to read these posts.

**captclearance** · 02-03-2003, 07:51 AM

Amen

**Heather** · 02-03-2003, 08:26 AM

It was a beautiful, moving message!

**guest2** · 02-03-2003, 02:01 PM

I really believe that God has put President Bush into the White House "for such a time as this". He has been such a good example of compassion and faith for all of us to look to. I thank God for our president and for his always looking heavenward to where his strength come from!

Blessings,
Debbie

**learning** · 02-03-2003, 02:31 PM

thanks, lol, the channels here have been showing the Pres. saying the quote mustang80 singled out... I didn't realize there was more since I missed it.
I also agree that the Pres. and wife seem very caring and are fine with their beliefs (& not just for show, kwim).