25 years ago…

“I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It’s all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It’s all part of taking a chance and expanding man’s horizons. The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we’ll continue to follow them.”

Ronald Reagan-

25 years ago, I was sitting in between classes, when a friend of mine staggered over to our group in horror. She had been watching the launch of the Challenger and had watched it explode – she was in shock.

I don’t remember much after that. I do though remember a line from Presidents Reagan’s speech that night. It’s the line The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.

What a powerful line. Whether you like him or not is not important… what is important is that we are brave with our future, that we should explore and try.  We need to continue to be like those great adventurers of old and continue to move forward.

It might scary, we might fail at times…but we need to keep pushing forward. 25 years later I find these words comforting. Taken from a time of loss and simple reminder to be brave….

push forward, remember sacrifices are what make us better and stronger individuals and do not lose hope.

trav-

11 Comments

Nonesuch » 31 Jan 2011 » Reply

I was too little to remember where I was or what I was doing. I don't remember hearing much about it. We did have a couple of "history projects" as I was growing up–asking our parents and other adults in our lives "Where were you when you heard?" (The other big one we had to ask them about was the assassination of John F. Kennedy; I assume my children will come to me about 9/11/01.)

I think as an artist and writer this is a beautiful tribute. And he's right, without big, brave risk-takers there might be less tragedy but there would also be less progress.

Jande » 29 Jan 2011 » Reply

Thank you, Trav. We often need these kinds of reminders, small but powerful.

LilFluff » 28 Jan 2011 » Reply

I was in the middle of I think English class when the principal came over the PA to announce what happened to Challenger. I recall the next year there was still enough impact that even out here in Arizona we had a moment of silence out by the flagpole on the first anniversary. When Columbia was lost I’d been sleeping and woke up to one of my Aunts calling saying to switch on the news.

A couple years ago I sat down and looked up the names of all the astronauts and cosmonauts who had died. I liked the idea one author had. Whenever a permanent base is set up on the moon they should set a memorial plate out with all the names. Not just one country or one program, but everyone at least up to that point. Put a remembrance of them out in space.

    Trav the bean » 30 Jan 2011 » Reply

    I took a bit of time the other day to listen to the whole speech… it made me want to explore…

Lord Slapdash » 28 Jan 2011 » Reply

Not to detract from your message, but whenever I try to load bean 199, it starts to load and then goes blank. Anyone else having trouble with the previous post loading?

    Odo » 29 Jan 2011 » Reply

    Yes, I am having that problem, too.

      Trav the bean » 30 Jan 2011 » Reply

      thats odd it seems to be working or me… i am using firefox right now

    Trav the bean » 30 Jan 2011 » Reply

    i hope it's good now. It is is working for me

Ben » 28 Jan 2011 » Reply

Thank you for this Trav. I'm at a point in my life now that this brought tears to my eyes. It's true. It's powerful…

    Trav the bean » 30 Jan 2011 » Reply

    you can do anything you want ben… you just got to be brave.

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