I spent the entire morning on the long 2500+ post thread as it provided moment by moment accounts, surmisings, tributes.
But this is the thread that let me feel my feelings.
Thank you so much Luis for the poetry, your writings and the tributes. I was finally done in and wept when I read your post with the photo and the words from our President's address this morning - "they did not make it back to earth, but they made it home." Thanks to KBZod, ChemistCat, weikel, and Optimist for the poetry you shared. Each was very moving and captured another facet of the heavens and those who explore there. B-Chan, the poster is stunning and memorable . I liked the flags. Theophilus, the listing of all the many variations of the "Naval" Hymn was the first I had ever seen. I was an AF brat and sang the Air Force version every Sunday growing up.
Someday, when I think back on what I was doing on the day the Columbia dissolved into space, I'll remember that I was at Free Republic with the dear people I've met here.
Nothing more to add to what you've all said so well.