Hail Columbia!

Yesterday and today I have stood in the presence of some giants of aviation and within a foot of Spaceship One, which is the first independent spacecraft to reach the outer bounds of space. This morning I watched on television the launch of the Discovery and was strangely anxious. I have followed the space program since a child -- I wanted to be an astronaut. I have a wall covered with original photographs of many of the great moments in the history of NASA. I cheered on a close friend when she applied for the teacher in space programs so long ago -- she made the final ten and we consoled her at the death of her friend Christa. I remember that day so vividly -- as well as the day that the Apollo One caught on fire. I remember the shock and sadness when I watched and realized that Columbia was not going to be landing.

After the Discovery took off this morning, there was a call for a moment of silence for the crew of the Columbia and then they played this song.

Hail Columbia, happy land!
Hail, ye heroes, heav'n-born band,
Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,
Who fought and bled in freedom's cause,
And when the storm of war was gone
Enjoy'd the peace your valor won.
Let independence be our boast,
Ever mindful what it cost;
Ever grateful for the prize,
Let its altar reach the skies.

Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.

Immortal patriots, rise once more,
Defend your rights, defend your shore!
Let no rude foe, with impious hand,
Let no rude foe, with impious hand,
Invade the shrine where sacred lies
Of toil and blood, the well-earned prize,
While off'ring peace, sincere and just,
In Heaven's we place a manly trust,
That truth and justice will prevail,
And every scheme of bondage fail.

Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.

Behold the chief who now commands,
Once more to serve his country stands.
The rock on which the storm will break,
The rock on which the storm will break,
But armed in virtue, firm, and true,
His hopes are fixed on Heav'n and you.
When hope was sinking in dismay,
When glooms obscured Columbia's day,
His steady mind, from changes free,
Resolved on death or liberty.

Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.

Sound, sound the trump of fame,
Let Washington's great fame
Ring through the world with loud applause,
Ring through the world with loud applause,
Let ev'ry clime to freedom dear,
Listen with a joyful ear,
With equal skill, with God-like pow'r
He governs in the fearful hour
Of horrid war, or guides with ease
The happier time of honest peace.

Firm, united let us be,
Rallying round our liberty,
As a band of brothers joined,
Peace and safety we shall find.

As Robert Crippen said "There's heavy grief in our hearts, which will diminish in time, but it will never go away and we will never forget. Hail Rick, Willie, KC, Mike, Laurel, Dave and Ilan. Hail Columbia."

Ever mindful what it cost;
Ever grateful for the prize,
Let its altar reach the skies.
Hail Columbia, indeed.

(Note: Hail Columbia is our first national anthem.)

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