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Friends,
For those who have not accessed the CHP (Claffey Home Page)
for while, please let me update you on information added recently.
Ann Claffee keeps adding to our state by state research.
She has information on Claffeys in almost every state in the union plus many
countries and has done a WONDERFUL job of keeping us informed.
THANKS ANN.
Three new states added this past week = Alabama, Alaska and Arizona.
Also for folks unaware of Guest Book entries, we now number 55 entries from
all over the world.
Even if you do not think that you are related to a Claffey family in another
state or country, these entries are interesting to read.
This morning's counter notes that CHP has been visited 8923 times.
FANTASTIC ! !
Also remember that URL or web address For CHP has changed to
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~camounts/
Have a good day.
Carol Ann Claffey Mounts (List mistress)
All outgoing mail is virus free as checked by NAV.
Friends,
My son Joe is of course a CLAFFEY Descendent. He works for NASA and wrote
this Nostalgic message LAST WEEK,
January 28, 2003 on the 17th Anniversary of the Challenger Disaster. Little
did he or any of us know what challenges the NASA Family would have to
suffer a few days later on February 1, 2003 with the loss of shuttle
Columbia.
Article was published in Washington Observer Reporter in the Region section
page B 5.
Regards,
(List Mistress) Carol Ann Claffey Mounts
PS... Ladies get out the Kleenex box. Article is long but well worth the
read.
Thoughts on Challenger Disaster
It's cold here today, but not as cold as that morning. The sky is bright
blue. There are very few clouds. I tried to imagine the exhilaration they
felt that morning. A teacher in space, how wonderful it would be to have
someone like us ride into weightlessness. I tried to imagine what it was
like for Christa. What would she do first, as the shuttle obtained orbit?
Would she float to the window? I'm sure she would have, as that is what
everyone wants to see. Home. That beautiful blue planet is my home.
Would she place her face next to the window? Inches away from the cold
harshness of space. Inches away from an environment that would instantly
mean death, if not for the suit that protected those who venture into it.
The stark contrast of the warm shuttle cabin and the cold, darkness of
space, only inches apart, would have been surreal. I wish she could have
experienced that.
I stood looking out my window this morning and stared at 39B for 73 seconds.
73 seconds. That's how long it took to change this program for a lifetime.
I have seen dozens of launches since moving here in 1992. I have seen many
from this very window. The excitement at launch is hard to describe. The
launch pads, although more than five miles away, are easily visible. The
countdown is played over the intercom. At T-3 you see the smoke from the 3
main engines as they ignite. By T-0, the lower portion of the pad
is enclosed in a huge plume, so you don't get to see the SRB's light, but
you know they did, as the mighty craft starts to climb. You watch in awe and
amazement. Often times you realize your holding your breath. Then comes the
rumble. Low at first, but depending on the weather that day, it can build
into a mighty roar that seems to vibrate the very organs in your chest. The
windows shake and everyone smiles. They smile, not from the rumble and not
from the windows shaking, but from pride. In there own little way, everyone
feels a part of the tremendous accomplishment of conquering gravity with
such a beautiful machine. Although there is a huge smoke trail, at T+73
seconds, the shuttle is so small you can barely see it. Sometimes the
trajectory makes it seem like the shuttle has almost stopped, as it heads
away from you. At the moment of "SRB sep" they tumble to earth barely
visible as just the tiniest points of light. The shuttle now looks like a
bright star racing across the sky, until finally, it's gone. Knowing what I
know now, I tried to imagine what those on the ground felt at T+73 seconds.
Those in the Firing Room would have known instantly that something was
wrong, but those casually observing probably had to digest the fact the
things just didn't look right. And then the gut wrenching realization that
the orbiter had suffered an "anomaly"....and all was lost.
Seventeen years ago, my life changed dramatically. Was it for the better? I
think so. Unfortunately, it has taken me away from those who are most dear
to me. But it has also given me satisfaction beyond my ability to describe,
to be a part of this team. The exploration of space is a task much greater
than all of us and as the events of seventeen years ago are brought once
again to the forefront, I realize it is a task that can only be performed
with great sacrifice.
So on this day of remembrance, let me say "Sleep well Dick, Mike, Judy, El,
Ron, Christa and Greg". Know that the challenges that were placed before
you, have become the vision of many of us at the Cape today. The banner that
you have handed to us is still proudly held high with a reverence for what
you have accomplished. Rest well. Your task is finished.
And ours has just begun. Godspeed.
January 28, 2003
Joseph R. Mounts
Engineer/Scientist
Boeing/NASA