we are honoring the people.....unfortunately they are not with us anymore. All we have left is the debris.
I don't equate debris with people. These were fine people. The parts of Columbia in no way shape or form represents these honorable men and women. It is all that is left of Columbia but photos and memories of these fine people is what lives on; not what carried them to space.
Putting flowers or a flag next to a piece of metal which once held our friends, family, countrymen, and heros is all we can do. Posting pictures of people guarding over all we have left is a way to share the caring and compassion that brings people together.
Metal is metal. It doesn't represent these fine people. If you saw that same piece of metal in a junkyard you'd wouldn't be able to distinguish it from other "debris". To honor these folks, post pictures of them of biographical information. It's much more fascinating and respectful than gawking over debris. It's simply hideous to venerate debris and ignore the individuals who perished.
You feel differently...and that's fine...please just visit another thread and stop judging us who are grieving in our own way.