January 28, 1986: Remember the Challenger and her crew

At about 11:30 AM, Eastern Time, the Shuttle Challenger was launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida. Aboard the ship were its Commander, Francis R. "Dick" Scobee, its pilot, Michael J. Smith, and its crew Christa McAuliffe, misson specialists Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith Resnick and Ronald E. McNair, along with Payload Specialist Gregory B. Jarvis.

Seventy-three seconds into the mission, the Challenge exploded and fell into the sea.

All aboard were killed instantly.

For probably obvious reasons, I've found it a privilege to remember these folks on this day every year. Along with millions of others -- including the family and students of Mrs. McAuliffe -- I saw the explosion on television.

My purpose here is to, frankly, take advantage of your generosity and ask you to remember them in your prayers today.

Thank you!

For more on the Challenger, you might want to go here.