Real Hero
Reagan
Today, we gather together to mourn our loss. Seven brave citizens share their inner sorrow. Perhaps in the comfort of each other, we can gain the strength to endure pain and the firm belief in pursuing our ideals.
This national loss is first and foremost a huge personal loss for the families, friends and loved ones of our astronauts. To the fathers, mothers, husbands, and wives who have lost loved ones, to the brothers, sisters, and especially the children, all Americans stand with you in your day of grief and mourning.
What we said today is far from enough to express the true emotions in our hearts. Words are so weak in the face of our misfortune: they cannot express our deep love for you and who we are at the same time. My condolences to those who sacrificed their lives heroically.
The reason why heroes are called heroes does not lie in the language of our praise, but in their high sense of professionalism, self-esteem and perseverance in exploring the magical and wonderful universe. Practice true living even to the point of giving your life. All we can do is to remember our seven astronauts and seven "challengers" and the vitality, love and joy they brought to those who knew them while they were alive, and the pride they brought to the motherland.
They come from all over this great country from Southern California to Washington State, from Ohio to the Mohawks in New York, from Hawaii to North Carolina and Buffalo, New York. They are very different from each other, but their pursuits and missions are so consistent.
We remember Dick Scobie. The last words we heard from the Challenger aboard came from the captain. Before joining the space program, he was a fighter pilot and later a test pilot for high-altitude aircraft. For Captain Scobie, danger has always been a familiar companion.
We remember Mike Smith. As a fighter pilot, he wore all the medals on his chest, including the Navy Flying Cross Special Class and the Silver Star Cross from a country.
We remember Judith Leineko, known as J.R. to her friends, who always had a smile for people and was always eager to make a difference. In her spare time, she likes to play a few pieces of music on the piano and gain beautiful enjoyment from it.
We will also never forget that as a child, Ellison Onizoka always loved to run around with bare feet in the coffee fields and the Macadamea Cemetery in Hawaii. He had long dreamed of one day Travel to the moon. He told people that it was thanks to becoming a pilot that he was able to achieve some of the most memorable feats in his career.
And Ronald McNair, who once told people that the cotton fields of Southern California tempered his perseverance. He dreams of living on an outer space station and conducting experiments in weightless space: playing the saxophone. Ah, Jean (Ronald's nickname), we will always miss your saxophone, and we will build the space station you dreamed of.
We remember Gregory Jervis, who carried with him a flag from his alma mater, the State University of New York at Buffalo, on that fateful flight. He said it was a small souvenir to commemorate those who had guided him towards the future.
We still remember Crista McAuliffe, who captured the imagination of the entire country and inspired us with her courage and never-ending spirit of exploration. She was a teacher, not just to her students, but to people all over the country, and she tirelessly told us about this space flight as a lesson that inspires us to impact the future.
We will always remember them as outstanding experts, scientists, adventurers, artists, teachers and family men and women. We will cherish each of their stories, stories of triumph and bravery, stories of true American heroes.
On the day when the disaster occurred, all of us in the United States watched with concern in front of the television and stayed up all night. At that unfortunate moment our excitement turned to trembling. We waited and watched, trying to figure out what was happening. That night I listened to a radio interview program. People old and young are telling their sorrows and are proud of our astronauts. As the gloom loomed over the country, we walked out of our homes, holding hands and comforting each other.
The sacrifice of those you loved shocked the nation. In the pain, we realized a far-reaching truth: the road to the future will not be smooth, and the entire history of human progress is a history of struggle against all difficulties and obstacles. Once again, we recognize that our America was founded on heroism and noble devotion, by men and women like our seven astronauts, who took it as their responsibility to serve as a whole. It is built by people who give to the people more than they expect and ask for, who contribute to humanity without ever expecting a small reward in return.
We can’t help but think back to the pioneers of a century ago, those resolute people who took their families and property to develop the desolate American West. They often faced harsh conditions, along the Oregon Trail, You can still see the tombstones of those fallen pioneers. But grief can only make them more determined to forge ahead.
Today’s desert is a territory that space and human knowledge have not reached. Sometimes, we feel that reaching other planets is beyond our capabilities. But we must pick ourselves up, endure the hardships, and keep moving forward. Our nation is indeed very fortunate because we still retain our tremendous courage, our trustworthy reputation, our indomitable character, and we still have heroes like the seven astronauts aboard Challenger.
Dick Scobee knew that every spacecraft launch was a technological miracle. He said: "If something happens, it will in no way mean the end of the space program." Every family member of the hero I contacted specifically asked us to continue this program. This is the lovely loved one they lost. A dream plan that comes true. We will never let them down.
Today, we assure Dick Scobie and his friends that their dreams are not dead and that the ideals they have worked so hard for will become a reality. The dedicated men and women of NASA, who have lost seven members of their extended family, continue to work toward a more effective space program that is both safe and feasible, risky and audacious. Humanity will continue to march into space, continue to set new goals, and continue to achieve new achievements. This is the best way we can honor the seven heroes aboard Challenger.
Dick, Mike, Judith, Ellison, Ronald, Gregory and Krista, your families and your country mourn your loss. Rest in peace, we will never forget you. For the people who know and love you, the painful blow is heavy and lasting; for a country, the departure of its seven sons, daughters, and seven friends is an irreparable loss. The only comfort we can find is knowing in our hearts that you who soared so high and so proudly have now found a home beyond the stars where God has promised you immortal life.
May God bless you all and give you comfort during this difficult time.
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