I was at FT Polk, LA. I was in the company HQ building walking by the dayroom as folks gathered to watch the take-off on the TV.
About 30 of us spent most of the rest of the day glued to that same TV just incredulous at what had happened.
Our company was in the field that day. I remember our squad preparing some fighting positions when our platoon sergeant came by to check on our progress. After a few minutes, he turned to leave to when he said, “Yeah, somebody over in the TOC just said that the shuttle blew up. That’s all I know about it.” Learned in the evening that it blew up just after launch. Didn’t learn any more or see any footage till we got out of the field a few days later.
I was sitting here in this very room watching the launch while pondering where we should have our reception since we were married that May in 1986.