Nation mourns loss of Columbia

Skyward sorrow has once again united Americans in mourning and
attracted deep sympathy from people around the world.

Seven astronauts died early Saturday, when the Space Shuttle
Columbia disintegrated in midair over East Texas, on its way to
Cape Canaveral, Fla.

“This day has brought terrible news and great sadness to
our country,” said President Bush, addressing the country in
a televised statement Saturday. “Our entire nation grieves
with you,” he said, to the victims’ families.

Shuttle debris scattered over Texas and Louisiana, but the
impact of the tragedy is felt much further, across state and
national boundaries.

In Iraq, which is bracing for possible war with the United
States, some officials expressed sympathy for the American
people.

“We respect their feelings and share their sadness,”
said Bushra al-Samarai, a member of the Iraqi National
Assembly.

Russian space officials offered condolences for the astronauts
aboard the Columbia.

In Bagram, Afghanistan, the shuttle disaster deepened the grief
already felt by U.S. troops after a helicopter crash killed four
soldiers Thursday. “There’s been a lot of death this
week, a lot of sadness,” said Maj. Tom Roltsch of Alexandria,
VA.

At home memorials are being held, special services attended, and
personal grieving is underway for Rick Husband, Michael Anderson,
David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, William McCool, and Ilan
Ramon.

The entrance to the Johnson Space Center in Houston was turned
into a shrine for the fallen astronauts. Mourners left flowers,
burning candles, teddy bears, American flags and notes.

“You will be remembered deeply and dearly by all,”
said a note for Chawla, the first Indian-born woman in space.

“You’re our hero,” said a note for Ramon, the
first Israeli in space.

Avishai Shraga, a fourth-year computer science student and the
vice president of Bruins for Israel, said he was devastated by
Ramon’s death.

“He made me, and I think everyone else in the Jewish
community, feel so proud. He was a sign of the progress that we
have been able to make, and for his dreams to come crashing down
like this, it’s a real tragedy,” Shraga said.

About 100 people gathered at a local temple in Sunnydale,
Calif., to remember Chawla.

“She pushed herself every step of the way … For her,
ever step was a great achievement,” said Atulya Sarin, a
former high-school classmate of Chawla, in Karnal, India.

Those locally with a less personal connection to the fallen
astronauts also felt the impact.

At the Baha’i Center of Los Angeles, the seven astronauts
were remembered with a mix of songs, prayers and tributes.

“We’re here to honor those that were lost and to
remember their loved ones who are going through such pain and
agony,” said Jamie Heath, a member who led the service for
some 300 members.

The Baha’i Association at UCLA held its regular interface
devotional meeting Sunday, but included a prayer for the astronauts
and their families in addition to their usual readings of various
religious and non-religious texts.

Leila Seradj, a second-year international development studies
student and vice president of the club, said the nine people
gathered, of Baha’i, Jewish and Christian faith, were solemn
and reverent as they held their reflection and prayer.

“This definitely gives me a sense of perspective. When
something like this happens you realize you need to take advantage
of what little time you have on earth,” Seradj said.

Other students share the club’s sense of sadness.

“It was weird because I watched the launch a couple of
weeks back on the NASA channel and to find out that something like
that happened, I was shocked and sad,” said Katherine
Wilmore, a first-year political science student.

Ron Roiz, a third-year cybernetics student, said he was also
shocked given the capabilities of modern technology. But he does
not think the incident should prevent future voyages.  

“We should definitely continue to explore outer space for
scientific advancement and to better humanity. Once they
figure out what the problem was, it’s another lesson for
future exploration,” he said.

President Bush uttered similar sentiments, making it clear that
the country would continue with manned space flight, despite the
risks.

“Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the
inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand.

“Our journey will go on.”

With reports from the Associated Press.