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American Morning
Astronauts Remembered
Aired February 03, 2003 - 09:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to Florida, Kennedy Space Center, and Gary Tuchman, talking with a number of Americans, everyday tourists, who essentially came to watch the landing on Saturday, or have to come to pay their tributes.
Gary, good morning.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, good morning to you.
This is where shuttle the took off, and where it was supposed to land, and that's why the last two days have been especially traumatizing here. Thousand of tourists here at the Kennedy Space Center, and employees, have gravitated toward this wall. This is the Astronaut Memorial Wall that was built 1991, on it, the names of the 17 astronauts who died in service of their country. Seven of them died on test flights before they ever got into space, but you'll recognize the other names, Dick Scobee, Michael Smith, Allison Anazuka (ph), Judith Reznik (ph), Ronald McNair, Christa McAuliffe (ph) and Gregory Jarvis on the Challenger in 1986.
And then over on the bottom, Gus Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee, who died in 1967 in that launch pad fire.
So this is where people have been coming. They've been signing condolence books. They've been leaving flowers, they've been leaving flags and candles, and right here, you can see inside the fenced in area, the picture of the seven astronauts who perished Saturday. Their names will soon be put on this memorial wall.
With us right now, Chuck and Marley Caulder (ph). They are from Southern California, tourists here. They have also come to the wall. How does it make you feel being here, seeing the pictures of the astronauts?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In some ways, you feel like the big picture, you belong to these families, that lost their sons and daughters. It's very inspirational. It's almost like a religious happening.
FLOCK: Marley (ph), you told me you were a kindergarten teacher, you just retired, and you sent a note to your former children?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To our staff.
FLOCK: And what did you say to them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I said that we were here, and that it's a sad day, but the dreams will continue to live on, and it's just -- it does. It's like a big family, and with having taught all these years, there is such an inspiration to young children to just keep working hard and try to do your best. These are young people that have done that, and it's an inspiration for all. And I just thought, a card going into school, let the all the staff share it with everyone, and just bring it home closer.
FLOCK: Chuck and Marley, thanks for joining us.
A lot of people, like the Caulders (ph), came here for happy vacation. It's turned out to be much different.
Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: Gary, thanks. Gary Tuchman in Florida.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 3, 2003 - 09:46 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to Florida, Kennedy Space Center, and Gary Tuchman, talking with a number of Americans, everyday tourists, who essentially came to watch the landing on Saturday, or have to come to pay their tributes.
Gary, good morning.
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, good morning to you.
This is where shuttle the took off, and where it was supposed to land, and that's why the last two days have been especially traumatizing here. Thousand of tourists here at the Kennedy Space Center, and employees, have gravitated toward this wall. This is the Astronaut Memorial Wall that was built 1991, on it, the names of the 17 astronauts who died in service of their country. Seven of them died on test flights before they ever got into space, but you'll recognize the other names, Dick Scobee, Michael Smith, Allison Anazuka (ph), Judith Reznik (ph), Ronald McNair, Christa McAuliffe (ph) and Gregory Jarvis on the Challenger in 1986.
And then over on the bottom, Gus Grissom, Edward White and Roger Chaffee, who died in 1967 in that launch pad fire.
So this is where people have been coming. They've been signing condolence books. They've been leaving flowers, they've been leaving flags and candles, and right here, you can see inside the fenced in area, the picture of the seven astronauts who perished Saturday. Their names will soon be put on this memorial wall.
With us right now, Chuck and Marley Caulder (ph). They are from Southern California, tourists here. They have also come to the wall. How does it make you feel being here, seeing the pictures of the astronauts?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In some ways, you feel like the big picture, you belong to these families, that lost their sons and daughters. It's very inspirational. It's almost like a religious happening.
FLOCK: Marley (ph), you told me you were a kindergarten teacher, you just retired, and you sent a note to your former children?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To our staff.
FLOCK: And what did you say to them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I said that we were here, and that it's a sad day, but the dreams will continue to live on, and it's just -- it does. It's like a big family, and with having taught all these years, there is such an inspiration to young children to just keep working hard and try to do your best. These are young people that have done that, and it's an inspiration for all. And I just thought, a card going into school, let the all the staff share it with everyone, and just bring it home closer.
FLOCK: Chuck and Marley, thanks for joining us.
A lot of people, like the Caulders (ph), came here for happy vacation. It's turned out to be much different.
Bill, back to you.
HEMMER: Gary, thanks. Gary Tuchman in Florida.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
