njanvilman Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 28 years ago today, the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster happened. It touched me particularly hard because I had been one of the applicants for the "Teacher in Space" program. From my days in Elementary School watching the Gemini and Apollo liftoffs on a grainy black and white TV to the days of the shuttle, I was and still am a great supporter of all that NASA does. I had been teaching for about 8 years at that point. I went on to teach Woodworking and Metalworking for over 27 more years to thousands of students, and had a great influence that is still being felt today by many more people. Richard Postman's book on Anvils obviously changed my life. I saved the remnants of the Fisher(Crossley) factory before demolition. I have assembled the most comprehensive collection of FISHER products to augment what I saved in the factory. I have made many friends in this Blacksmithing community. I married and raised two daughters that have made their mark in the world. I often wonder(like in "Its a Wonderful Life") what would have been if I had been on that flight. But I was not, and I am here, alive, and enjoying retirement, anvil hunting, and most importantly, friends and family. Joshua Kavett njanvilman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I remember being in a thrift store looking at used tv's and wondering what the heck those two eratic white plumes were racing across a blue background and why so many people were watching it.......On a happier note I also remember getting up early in Sarasota FL to go fishing on the bay and seeing another plume darting skyward with a brite light at the top. I was looking all the way across the peninsula watching the shuttle rise with the sun, I don't need a picture to invision that again.......... B) .......Seems you chose a line of endeavor that includes many firmly earthbound objects, glad you're still around. mb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuge Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Thanks for the story, that was a good one. I was in 7th grade and they wheeled the tv's in on the carts to show us the tragedy. life is good when you live it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Just like the Kennedy murder. We remember where we were and who we were with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Just like the Kennedy murder. We remember where we were and who we were with. Agreed - and 9/11...those traumas always stick with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Yep. Though, I don' t mourn for those that died 28 years ago. They lived well and died doing something they loved in the hopes that it would better the world. Kudos to them and those that continue the exploration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 There is nothing in progress that is free. The choice is, Do we Learn from the Hic-cups or not!!! If 'If's and Ands made Pots and Pans, then Tinkets would be Kings'. Glad you're still standing on the Dirt, Joshua!!! When you hear the lawnmower overhead, you're done!!! Till then keep on kickin' and tickin'. :) :) Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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