Many people remember the day Kennedy died, I don’t; I wasn’t born yet. But I do remember the day the Challenge exploded. It is hard to believe it was 20 years ago. I was a senior in high school. My dad (the pastor and superintendent of our church school) brought in a TV for the day to watch the event. There were only a few of us in the room to watch the countdown. And then 73 seconds later, it was gone. The room was silent. We saw what happened, but were unable to believe our eyes. Surely there was something we missed. The rest of the day, I watched the coverage. Seeing the happy faces climb into the shuttle and then just a few moments later they were no more was a shock like nothing I had ever experienced. The feelings of seeing a national tragedy happen before my very eyes have not faded.
Today we see so many things on television that we are shocked no longer. We cannot allow ourselves to be jaded by the tragedies that we see on a daily basis. We must remember that each life is precious. Each person leaves loved ones who deals with the loss on a daily basis.
Today we see so many things on television that we are shocked no longer. We cannot allow ourselves to be jaded by the tragedies that we see on a daily basis. We must remember that each life is precious. Each person leaves loved ones who deals with the loss on a daily basis.
6 comments:
Not born yet in 1963. You are just a little chicken still.
Oh, and I am still easily shocked by what I see on TV. Most of my son's generation (30 something - actually yours too) are a lot more jaded but I think some folks are just jaded by nature and others will always be sensitive.
I remember this well - I was a junior. The Hub and I were talking about this this weekend. Yes, I agree - Hard to believe it's been 20 years already ...
Weirdly, the more recent shuttle disaster happened the day before my birthday. :(
Kennedy's death was the first really historical thing that I actually remember. I was in first grade and we were sent home early and all that was on TV was about Kennedy. I was too young to understand the significance.
I remember the day Kennedy was shot quite clearly. People always ask, "Where were you when Kenndy was shot?"
Well, I don't have an alibi.
But seriously, You are so right about the de-sensitizing of America through Television and Music etc. I watched "The Shield" on FX last night for the first time and I was shocked at what they are getting away with these days. Obscene language, nudity,...unbelievable.
I thought TV had censors?
I remember where I was when the Space Shuttle exploded. I was on my way to visit my family in Mississippi. They mean lots to me. I realized that day how precious they really are.
I was at work when the Challenger exploded and the first I heard about it was a half-hour when a friend's wife called and told me.
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