Suk@PARC-MAXC@sri-unix (07/21/82)
In 1982 I enjoyed the second-most-memorable Fourth of July of my life (second only to 1976), when I journeyed to Edwards AFB to watch Columbia return. The actual landing itself was only slightly more spectacular than previous (I'd seen STS-2 land), because we saw smoke from the tires this time instead of blowing sand. We were all closer to the actual touchdown this time too. However, the actual highlight of the day came later. After the landing, NASA opened the restricted viewing area near the runway to the general public, so thousands of people gathered down in front of the Enterprise to wait for the president's speech. (You all have your own opinions on the speech -- I won't comment.) When Reagan was half way through talking, he gave the command for the 747 to take off with Challenger on its back. Then he talked for a few more minutes, and soon this GIANT silver bird buzzed over almost directly above the crowd. Thousands of flags waved and thousands of people cheered. It was truly an impressive sight! But that was not all by a long shot. As the 747 kept going, I commented to my wife that it sure took a long time for it to gain any altitude. Reagan kept talking. Well, of course you all know, it was planned that way. The monster made a huge circle above the dry lake bed at an altitude of a few hundred feet, and several minutes later it lumbered over us a second time, this time much closer to the crowd. I was busy taking snapshots and advancing film, while the rest of the crowd was again busy waving flags, cheering, and exclaiming "fantastic," "great," "terrific," "what a sight," and similar. Then, when he was right next to the President, the pilot dipped his wingtip, giving Reagan and the entire crowd a beautiful closeup view of Challenger on the back of the 747. I cannot fully put into words the feeling I experienced at that moment. I will remember it forever. My only regret is that I did not have my movie camera with me that day. I had taken it along on my previous trip, and it proved to be just excess baggage at that time. So I can't share the feeling with others. At least I will have it in my own mind for a long time to come. Stan [I apologize for the delay in sending this, but I've been out of the office for quite some time, and this is the first chance I've had to send this in.]