'The Days of Miracle and Wonder' (Peggy Noonan)

Opinion Journal ^ | 02-01-03 | Peggy Noonan

[veronica]

The Columbia's loss is a searing reminder of American heroism.

"The Columbia is lost. There are no survivors." Blunt words spoken softly by President Bush this afternoon. He spoke of how easy it is for all of us to "overlook the dangers of travel by rocket. . . . These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them willingly." He spoke of why "mankind is led into the darkness," and he promised that "our journey into space will go on."

[veronica]

FYI.

[veronica]

Bump.

[Catspaw]

He was not alone.

No, Buzz wasn't alone.

[MadIvan]

ping!

[Joe 6-pack]

Nice post. Say what you may about John Denver's politics, but he was an admirer of exploration, and himself, had aspirations of participating in a shuttle mission. He wrote this song in the wake of Challenger, and it's been in my head since this morning:

Flying High
John Denver

Well, I guess that you probably know by now
I was one who wanted to fly
I wanted to ride on that arrow of fire right up into heaven
And I wanted to go for every man, every child, every mother of children
I wanted to carry the dreams of all people right up to the stars

And I prayed that I'd find an answer there
Or maybe I would find the song
Giving a voice to all of the hearts that can not be heard
And for all of the ones who live in fear
And all of those who stand apart
My being there would bring us a little step closer together

They were flying for me, they were flying for everyone
They were trying to see, a brighter day for each and everyone
They gave us their light, they gave us their spirit, and all they could be
They were flying for me

And I wanted to wish on the Milky Way and dance upon the falling star
I wanted to give myself, and free myself, enjoin myself with it all!
Given the chance to dream, it can be done
The promise of tomorrow is real
Children of spaceship Earth, the future belongs to us all

She was flying for me, she was flying for everyone
She was trying to see, a brighter day for each and everyone
She gave us her light, she gave us her spirit, and all she could be
She was flying for me

They were flying for me, they were flying for everyone
They were trying to see, a brighter day for each and everyone
They gave us their light, they gave us their spirit, and all they could be
They were flying for me

[MadIvan]

We've been here before - I do remember President Reagan during the Challenger disaster. I was saying earlier that President Bush has endured more pain as President in 2 years than most get in 2 terms. But what is fortunate is that he has the strength to endure the pain and be a voice of comfort to everyone.

It is a tragedy to lose heroes - because they are few and far between. But it's also important to remember that they are also immortal, made so by their place in history, and by passing into God's embrace.

Regards, Ivan

[wndycndy]

God I love Peggy Noonan.

[jaz.357]

Peggy does it again. She is a NATIONAL TREASURE.

[Tony in Hawaii]

Thanks, Joe. I'll look for that song.

[Aggie Mama]

Tearful BTTT

[jaz.357]

Offical press kit link for STS-107 http://www.shuttlepresskit.com/STS-107/STS-107_SPK.pdf

[SJackson]

Thanks for the ping.

===================================================

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[rightazrain]

Peggy gives me goosebumps again.

[JulieRNR21]

Thanks for posting the Denver song....I never even knew he wrote one after the Challenger disaster.

[texasbluebell]

The author of the poem High Flight that Peggy quotes here, was a 19 year old flyer who died over England during WWII.

John G. Magee Jr., the son of missionary parents, wrote the sonnet only 3 months before he died when his plane and another collided in a cloud--he luckily had sent this verse in a letter to his parents before his death.

link

[JulieRNR21]

God Bless Peggy Noonan.....her written word is a work of art.....she is truly gifted!

[veronica]

Bump.

[Museum Twenty]

Veronica, thanks for the post.

Seventeen years since Challenger. Life goes by so fast. And, sadly, sometimes ends too quickly.

I regularly find Ms. Noonan does her best work when the subject is most serious.

Some were a little negative on her during the SOTU, mostly complaining about style.

I like her style.

Pokey, perhaps you wish to ping the Peggy list?

[goldstategop]

God Bless Their Souls. They Saw And Touched The Face Of God on Behalf of All Mankind.