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Ronald Reagan's Speech on the Challenger Disaster
Rushlimbaugh.com ^ | January 28, 1986 | President Ronald Reagan

Posted on 06/05/2004 6:46:55 PM PDT by wagglebee

Nineteen years ago, almost to the day, we lost three astronauts in a terrible accident on the ground. But, we've never lost an astronaut in flight; we've never had a tragedy like this. And perhaps we've forgotten the courage it took for the crew of the shuttle; but they, the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their jobs brilliantly. We mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. We mourn their loss as a nation together.

For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. But we feel the loss, and we're thinking about you so very much. Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, "Give me a challenge and I'll meet it with joy." They had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths.

They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us.

We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us. But for twenty-five years the United States space program has been doing just that. We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.

And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. 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...

There's a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and a historian later said, "He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it." Well, today we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drake's, complete.

The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: challenger; ronaldreagan; transcript
"Slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."

God Bless You President Reagan

1 posted on 06/05/2004 6:46:55 PM PDT by wagglebee
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To: wagglebee

Opps I accedently PM'd this to you:

I have this one recorded live on Beta.


2 posted on 06/05/2004 6:53:58 PM PDT by Revel
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To: wagglebee

.

REAGAN's


"Slip the Surley Bonds of Earth"


...Speech is listed in the new Book about what makes American Heroes due out this July 4th titled:



'MODERN DAY HEROES: In Defense of America'

http://www.ModernDayHeroes.com

.


3 posted on 06/05/2004 6:55:46 PM PDT by ALOHA RONNIE (Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.LZXRAY.com)
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To: wagglebee

Thank you God for blessing us with this man. May he enjoy his place in your kingdom as much as we enjoyed his place here on Earth. God bless Ronald Reagan and God bless America.


4 posted on 06/05/2004 6:58:08 PM PDT by psstoffpatriot
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To: wagglebee

I just don't know how to put in words how Ronald Reagan touched my life.He gave me hope and I will carry that hope all my life. He got me interested in politics and that "we" could make a change in this world. I am a man who usually doesn't shed tears,but today I mourn his passing and shed many tears for a great man. The world is less empty whith out Ronnie! Rest In Peace My Friend.


5 posted on 06/05/2004 7:11:17 PM PDT by ohiobushman
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To: wagglebee
Don't allow the media to spin Reagans death as they did his life. Go to the FR Reagan Vigils post and pledge to organize or attend a vigil in your area.

6 posted on 06/05/2004 7:18:07 PM PDT by Bob J (freerepublic.net/ radiofreerepublic.com/rightalk.com...check them out!)
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To: wagglebee

I'll never forget the news conference following the Challenger disaster because one of the reporters asked Reagan if he had ordered the Challenger to be blown up. OK, OK, what he actually asked was, "Did you know it was going to blow up"? With more restraint than I would have had, Reagan simply answered, "No".


7 posted on 06/05/2004 7:40:09 PM PDT by libertylover (The Constitution is a roadmap to liberty. Let's start following it again.)
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To: libertylover

How typical, I hear that the DUmmies are jubilant.


8 posted on 06/05/2004 7:41:12 PM PDT by wagglebee
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To: ALOHA RONNIE
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and will not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

President Reagan is soaring now.

9 posted on 06/05/2004 7:52:33 PM PDT by barker (I'm tired of fair and balanced - I want hoorah for our side.)
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To: barker

.

RONALD REAGAN was called a Man of HATE.

RONALD REAGAN loved us all in return.


Praise GOD that...

LOVE is the Only Reality and that...

GOD is LOVE.


RONALD REAGAN, Pray for US now.


.


10 posted on 06/05/2004 7:57:37 PM PDT by ALOHA RONNIE (Vet-Battle of IA DRANG-1965 http://www.LZXRAY.com)
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To: ALOHA RONNIE

God Bless America again - Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn

http://gabbiash.nstemp.com/BlessAmerica.html


11 posted on 06/06/2004 3:10:25 AM PDT by barker (I'm tired of fair and balanced - I want hoorah for our side.)
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To: Bob J
Don't allow the media to spin Reagans death as they did his life. Go to the FR Reagan Vigils post and pledge to organize or attend a vigil in your area.

Bob - Great post!......

BobbyD......

I'm on Flyers 'puter

Anyway......great post.....thank you

12 posted on 06/06/2004 3:43:00 AM PDT by Flyer (CAUTION! People May Be Dumber Than They Appear In The Forum)
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To: y'all
Video: Challenger: President Reagan's Challenger Disaster Speech - 1/28/86

no tshirts, carnival, politics, etc; just leadership

13 posted on 01/13/2011 8:18:05 AM PST by HonkyTonkMan
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