It seems like there are several events in each persons' lifetime that are forever memorable. One of those events occurred over the course of many years. That series of events were those of NASA's shuttle program. I remember thinking how "odd" it was when I first saw the shuttle design and if it would work. I remember being called into the school library so that we could all watch the launches on TV. I remember how cool it was to watch the landings on TV too. And yes, I remember where I was when both The Challenger and Columbia met their fateful ends and how shocked the nation was.
Growing up, the shuttle program was undoubtedly "cool". But, living in the Midwest I really didn't grasp the entire "awesome factor" (as I would have called it in those days). It wasn't until I moved to Florida that I became more in awe of the program. Living in east Orlando, I could actually walk out my front door, go into the street in front of our home, look east and see the shuttle blazing into the sky. The image to the right I took with a 55mm lens as I stood in front of our home. But what was just as cool was when the shuttle would land at Kennedy Space Center. I never saw a shuttle land, but I always knew when it was nearly home. No, I wasn't watching it on TV. The tell tale sign that the shuttle had arrived back home safely was the sonic boom we would hear. Our windows would rattle and you could hear it clear as could be. The first couple of times I experienced it, I honestly thought someone has shot a rifle or a small bomb had gone off. I freaked a bit. But, once I learned what it was it was cool and I found that I began to look forward to it.
Over the years, I would faithfully step outside of our home or my office and look to the sky to watch the shuttle fly into space. Over the years, I would faithfully wait to hear the sonic boom upon the shuttles' return. I even drove out to the coast a couple of times to watch a launch. Let me tell you, that was an experience all in its' own right. Only those that have experienced can truly understand what its' all about. First there is the sheer amazement I always had at the extreme volume of cars and people that packed the Beachline and coast from Titusville to Cocoa Beach. As the launch time neared, you could see and feel the anticipation growing. I always watched in Cape Canaveral, it was double fun to be able to enjoy the ocean too! Shortly after launch you would see the shuttle rising, the smoke trailing, and the excitement of those witnessing the launch filled the air. I would stand and watch the shuttle flying, at what I knew to me would be an absurd speed, into space. If that wasn't cool enough, you only had to wait just a short while before you could hear the rumble, feel the rumble. This is no exaggeration. You could literally hear and feel the sound waves of the shuttle(excuse me if my lingo is not exact here).
I, of course, was present for the final shuttle lift off on July 8, 2011. I took our son, daughter, and my niece. I heard the sonic boom of the final shuttle landing, of Atlantis coming home. It is a part of our Nation's history that I feel so blessed to have been able to experience in some small part. Knowing it was the end of an era was a little saddening, but I also know great things are on the horizon. But oh, what a great part of history to say I got to see. Maybe, some day when I'm older and maybe have grandkids, they will ask me about what it was like when the Shuttle program was going on. They'll probably be asking for a school report or such, but I think it will be a great experience to share.
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