Remembering Ronald E. McNair

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Ronald Ervin McNair, Ph.D. (October 21, 1950 – January 28, 1986) was a physicist and NASA astronaut.

McNair died during the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51-L.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_McNair

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1. I'll never forget that day. That and 9/11 will always be 2 of the "I know where I was" events

Bless him and all who perished with him. Just doing their job.

[LongTomH]

2. Some facts about Ron McNair

He was one of the minority astronauts recruited by Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura). Of the Challenger Seven, four were Michelle's Recruits: Ron McNair, Greg Jarvis, Christa McAullife and Judy Resnik.

Ron was an accomplished musician. He carried his saxophone aboard Challenger that day. One of the tracks on Jarre's 'Rendez-Vous album is titled "Ron's Piece," it was to have included a sax solo by Ron.

Edited to add: This is the piece that Ron was to have played the sax for. It would have been the first music recorded in space.

[Javaman]

3. At this very moment, I still keep a mug on my desk. It's not for drinking, it holds my art brushes..

and drawing pencils.

On it, it says Challenger and one of the astronauts named on that mug, is: McNair.

I keep that as a reminder for what is possible and what we lost.

Thank you Mr. McNair. I won't forget you.