General Discussion

Tommy Carcetti

(44,439 posts)

6. I was a kid and my family was taking a January vacation in Florida at the time

Wed Jan 28, 2026, 03:51 PM

Wednesday

We had never seen a launch before but were excited about the prospect.

It was a cold day. The night before the moon was full and red, almost a bad omen.

We were driving along when I first saw the contrail over the horizon. We immediately pulled over, got out of the car. My dad started snapping pictures.

We saw the contrail divide into two but didn't think anything of it. We figured it was just how these launches normally were. We got back into the car, turned on the radio, and that's when we heard the news. I remember my mom gasping. I remember stopping to eat for lunch and the entire restaurant being deathly quiet.

I still remember it as clearly as I did 40 years ago.

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40 Years Ago Today: [View all] lastlib Wednesday OP

I was living in Jacksonville Fl at the time pfitz59 Wednesday #1

😢 Clouds Passing Wednesday #2

I watched the shuttle Columbia land 7/4/82 at Edwards AFB, CA dickthegrouch Wednesday #3

Watched it in school JustAnotherGen Wednesday #4

Im no fan, but that day, Reagan was the president this nation needed. Volaris Wednesday #5

We never needed Reagan! CountAllVotes Wednesday #7

Anybody would have been better than Reagan. Well except for trump, shrub, nixon, ... erronis Wednesday #11

I was just going to mention that Polybius Wednesday #20

Yes, he read Peggy Noonan's speech without making a mistake misanthrope Wednesday #22

All modern Presidents have speechwriters Polybius Thursday #27

I was a kid and my family was taking a January vacation in Florida at the time Tommy Carcetti Wednesday #6

Wow - what an exceptional time to be there and what a memory! erronis Wednesday #12

I was living in southeast Orlando at the time and saw the unusual plumes while looking out from a loading dock. dameatball Wednesday #8

Shuttle launches canetoad Wednesday #9

Damn time flies malaise Wednesday #10

I remember feeling overwhelming sadness... BurnDoubt Wednesday #13

I think we all remember where we were when that happened. llmart Wednesday #14

Oh, woah. I do remember; just forget the date .... electric_blue68 Wednesday #15

I was in a dorm lounge at ECSU watching the TV with a friend. debsy Wednesday #16

I remember. I had stopped for gas, and the store had the tv on niyad Wednesday #17

A tragic, sad day democrank Wednesday #18

I was at home sick that day. Xavier Breath Wednesday #19

The day before my 25th birthday. IrishAfricanAmerican Wednesday #21

Medicare, baby! lastlib Wednesday #23

Thanks! Started it first of the year. IrishAfricanAmerican Wednesday #25

Very sad day, l remember it well 😪 Raine Wednesday #24

It's sort of like when JFK and John Lennon and 9/11 occurred BigmanPigman Wednesday #26