Hello, All...

I'll speak more later, but for the moment, on behalf of Region 7 Command and
its staff, I want to join with us all in expressing the feelings of shock
and sadness at the loss of the space shuttle Columbia and her crew this
morning.

There'll be plenty of discussion about this soon enough, but right now, we
need to stand together, both in our thoughts toward the families of the
crew, but also in ongoing support of the drive that took those seven people
to the edges of the frontier, and the need to expand the human frontier that
cost them their lives.

We cannot let their bravery go unnoticed, nor their sacrifice be an empty
one.

Today we stand together. But we will go on. Those seven people would demand
it of us.

In Service to the Fleet and to Humanity...
Alex
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Admiral Alex Rosenzweig, Regional Coordinator, Region 7

Many people have been saddened and shocked by the events of
Saturday. I certainly join in that sentiment.

There is one thing Alex said on which I want to expand...
"Today we stand together. But we will go on. Those seven people
would demand it of us."

And that is most important. NASA should examine the shuttles, make
any necessary repairs and get back up in space without delay.

We need to remember, no matter our emotions, that this was an
accident. We cannot allow an accident to stop the completion of the
space station. We can pause, remember and get right back to work.

Forgive me for getting religious here for a second, but there is an
irony within the tragedy. On Sunday, many Christians celebrated the
feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which recounts the day Jesus
was brought to the temple 40 days after his birth, according to
ancient Jewish custom. As a man, he was, in a sense, dedicated to
his mission from that point forward.

Also on Sunday, Catholics around the world observed the World Day
for Consecrated Life, in which they remember religious priests,
brothers and sisters, who likewise are dedicated... for they have
dedicated their life to God.

The astronauts we lost likewise dedicated their lives to space
exploration. Just like Jesus, just like the religious men and women,
their lives were dedicated to a cause - in this case space
exploration - and they knew full well that it brought dangers and
that they risked their lives.

Death should not be an end. It should be a beginning that takes us
to the next phase and makes the rest of us stronger. This tragedy
should serve as a rallying point through which we, as humans, renew
our efforts at space exploration.

Now is not the time to fold up our tents and go home, as some might
suggest. It is not the time to ground the space program. It is the
time to keep going forward. Anything less would denigrate the legacy
of the seven astronauts who took a risk that proved fatal, but one
that will ultimately benefit us all.

 _______________________________________________________________________ 
(Commodore) Michael Klufas
Chief of Staff, STARFLEET Region 7

From the Flying Fox Chaplain, the Reverend Michele C.C. Fischer:

(I write this from a Christian perspective- but am keenly aware that not all members of the crew were Christian- nonetheless, I believe what I write is true for all who lost their lives today.)

Why, most gracious God, must accidents happen?  We proclaim a God who is all powerful and all knowing and when bad things happen, we often look to the sky and wonder why.

Seven families are grieving, three nations have lost heroes and we are saddened.  We did not know these seven men and women who gave their lives, but we hoped with them. The thought of space and a new world to explore quickens our hearts. We wanted to live through them and see what they saw-  to dream of the possibilities.

Their death, and the loss of the Columbia brings back the sadness of the loss of the Challenger 17 years ago and 3 days ago, a day many of us remember clearly. 

O, why Gracious God?

Today we stand before God and cry out as Mary and Martha cried out to Jesus in John 11- “If you had been here Lord, our brother would not have died.” To those angry words, Jesus wept.  And so I know that today, as we weep, as we look out with sadness, as we grieve- so to God weeps with us.

We must continue to carry their dream, even as we grieve. We must not let this tragedy slow down our progress into space. We must not the hope for a day when we  live, work and play in space disappear.

We must remember the fallen and we must move forward. Reminded of God’s promise that Death string has been destroyed and one day weeping will be no more. And we must carry their dream forward.

May God welcome their souls into his bosom- and may God comfort the souls of those left behind, especially the children.

PSALM 23:
A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

A reading from Isaiah 19:23-27
Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!  That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;  And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God,  Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another.

A Reading from Revelation 21:1-7
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, ^Fsaw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

In memory of the Israeli astronaut, we have included the Mourner’s Kaddish and a link to a site explaining more about this prayer.

http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Judaism/kaddish.html
http://www.ou.org/yerushalayim/kadish.htm

Commodore Tammy Willcox, STARFLEET's Chief Financial Officer and CO of USS
Maat, has asked me to pass along the word that members are welcome to send
donations to epayments@sfi.org to help the families of the brave astronauts
lost aboard Shuttle Columbia this morning.

If you wish to send a donation via PayPal to epayments@sfi.org, please make
sure the subject or notes section of your payment says "Shuttle Columbia."

Tammy will collect any such donations and send them to whatever memorial
fund will be set up.

<https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=epayments%40sfi.org&item_name=Columbia>

The crew of USS Starlord, NCC-74225, STARFLEET Region 7, joins STARFLEET
and our world community in mourning the loss of the members of STS-107
Columbia.

We salute the bravery and vision of all the men and women of the world who
have given the ultimate sacrifice to expand the boundaries of our world
into the Final Frontier.

Regards,
Mike
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
2/0 & Webmaster, USS Starlord NCC-74225 - http://www.uss-starlord.org

This morning NASA lost contact with STS Columbia during reentry. Preliminary
reports do not look good. The Officers and Crew of the USS Justice, NCC-556,
bow they heads in silent remembrance for the seven astronauts aboard.

Mission Commander: Rick Husband
Pilot: William "Willie" McCool
Payload Commander: Michael Anderson
Mission Specialist 1: Kalpana Chawla
Mission Specialist 2: David Brown
Mission Specialist 3: Laurel Clark
Payload Specialist 1: Ilan Ramon (Israel)

In fact it was almost 17 years ago we as lost the STS Challenger and I
thought it would be appropriate to reprint the moving speech given by
President Reagan.
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Commodore Edward C. Tunis III, CO
USS Justice, NCC-556
www.ussjustice.org

I would like to take this time to send my deepest condolence to the NASA and
Scientific communities as well as the families of the Shuttle Columbia. I was
in deep shock when I first heard about this, as everyone else.

First the Shuttle Challenger blew up on take off and now Shuttle Columbia on
landing. Does anyone have any speculation and theories on what happened?

The 731st MSG and the SFMC 3rd BN of 7th BDE flies the missing man formation on
the lost of Shuttle Columbia.
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
LTC. Chris Hanssen
U.S.S. TRITON NCC-71819

The USS Asimov will be dimming her lights, and the 742nd will be lowering our
colours to half mast. The crew and Marines of both will be praying for the
families of the victims.

Also, by order of the 7th BDE OIC, the 7th Brigade cookbook, which will debute
at Farpoint, will be dedicated to the memory of the crew of the Space Shuttle
Columbia.

 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Martin A. Lessem
CO, USS Asimov, NCC-1647
Acting OIC, 742nd MSG
OIC, 7th BDE

Like many of us I have been watching the news reports learning more about the
details of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia. The seven lost astronauts
who died this morning when the Columbia exploded. Obviously it brings back
memories to the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

Our thoughts and prayers go with the families of those, astronauts of the
Columbia the senior most vessel of the Shuttle fleet. I think we all hope
that the specific cause of this tragedy will be determined as quickly as is
possible.
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
V.Adm. Bob Vosseller
CO USS Challenger NCC-1676-D

To My Fellow Starfleeters,

Back in 1982, I had the rare and special occasion to see the Space
Shuttle Columbia take off from Cape Canaveral on her first operational
mission. This mission was called STS-5 after four successful test
flights. Today we see this very same ship go down on her final
operational mission with some of the bravest and courageous men and
women of our time.

It's with deep sorrow that I proudly salute these men and women who have
gone where so few have gone. And to the ship that has carried so many
of the best, of the best, back to mother earth safely time and time
again.

U.S.S. Columbia, STS-107 Flight: January 16-February 1, 2003

Crew:
Commander Rick D. Husband (second flight),
Pilot William C. McCool (first flight),
Payload Specialist Michael P. Anderson (second flight),

Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla (second flight),
Mission Specialist David M. Brown (first flight),
Mission Specialist Laurel B. Clark (first flight),
Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, Israel (first flight)

We will greatly miss each.

 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Michael Allen
Executive Officer
Shuttle DeBraak

The crew of the USS Osiris would like to take this moment and offer a
prayer for the familes of the crew of Shuttle Columbia (STS-107):

Mission Commander: Rick Husband - United States Air Force   
Pilot: William McCool - United States Air Force
Payload Commander: Michael Anderson - United States Air Force
Mission Specialist 1: Kalpana Chawla - United States Air Force
Mission Specialist 2: David Brown - United States Air Force
Mission Specialist 3: Laurel Clark - United States Air Force
Payload Specialist 1: Ilan Ramon - Israeli Air Force

Coming so soon after the anniversary of the Challenger disaster, this is
truly a tragic moment in American history.

They sacrificied so that we may learn, may God have mercy on their
souls.

There is a phrase that we have on the Osiris that constitues the general
philosophy for us that I think is especially appropriate at this time. I
would ask that everyone take a moment to reflect on this as our country
goes through this tumultuous time, with not only this horrible
catastrophe but the spectre of impending war looming over us, let us not
forget that we are all brothers and sisters despite national boundaries
or ideological beliefs:

"I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore
that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature,
let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass
this way again."

Stephen Grellet, 1773-1855

Edgar
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Fleet Captain Edgar Torres (The Smilin' Buddha)
Commanding Officer
USS Osiris NCC 3092
http://www.ussosiris.org/

In the days ahead...

We will look to the sky and realize that there are those who dream ...... Who dream of what is beyond and take the chance to know. These are the men and women who will go to the stars and beyond, who paid the price of their lives to touch the face of God. May we who have not the chance to spead our wings to the beyond celebrate those who would bring us that knowledge and risk their lives doing so.
In the  spirit of Roddenberry, may we take our own fantasy ships and reach out in this moment of sadness; and then take it one step beyond in camaraderie to each other.
May we all be bless, in knowing that they made a sacrifice not only for themselves but for us.
Rest in peace, crew of the Columbia.........as you travel even beyond the beyond.

Respectfully,
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
RAdm. Beryl E. Washington
Crew of the USS Sovereign, NCC-75000          

Hacked liberally from a quote from West Wing but I feel it applies.

    More than any time in recent history, America's destiny is not of our own choosing. The true measure of the people's strength is how they rise to master that moment when it does arrive. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends. The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think that we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless. This is a time for American heroes. We will do what is hard. We will achieve what is great. This is a time for American heroes, and we reach for the stars. God bless their memory, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Captain Carlos Maldonado
CO, USS Avenger

It hit us all hard, when we learned about Columbia.  Accord, whatever our
fictional mission may be, is really a ship of scientists.  Comes from being
a chapter in a town with a world-class university, I guess.  So many of us
remember, and were forced to remember on Saturday, seeing the Challenger
disaster in school -- whether that school was elementary, like me, or
college, like our science officer and CO.  Even after 17 years, the second
catastrophic loss of a shuttle is no easier then the loss of the first.
Most of us spent the day glued to whatever news source we could, listening
for what happened and what the response was.  A hastily organized
get-together was arranged... 9 members or former members of Accord got
together and drank to our fallen heroes and our absent friends.  A wake for
7 brave souls and one big ship.  We miss them, and it still hurts.

 _______________________________________________________________________ 
JC Cohen, XO and crew of USS Accord, Ithaca, NY

The Crew of the USS Adamant is terribly sadden by this tragic event. Our thoughts, hopes and prayers go out to the families of STS-107 crew during this difficult time. May the Lord bring peace upon them.

We hope that this tragic event will not hamper our space exploration efforts. These fine people, and those that died before them, made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of exploration. Their contributions should not be forgotten.

"It's a far far better thing I do
than I have ever done before.
A far better resting place I go to
than I have ever known."

They will be remembered.

 _______________________________________________________________________ 
Captain Mary Ann G Pugliese
Commanding Officer
USS Adamant NCC-3029
Montgomery County PA
http://home.earthlink.net/~mutara/Adamant/

From the Command and Crew of the Shuttle Titanium:

In life there are many adventures. However, most of us
live so-called mundane lives and look up to others who
are living the real adventures. To most of us in
Fandom, and SFI, being an astronaut, or any one
attached to a space program, is the pinnical of modern
day adventures. Since we can command a real ship of
our own we live those adventures through the like of
STS-107 and her crew.

While the crew of the Titanium is very aware of the
dangers of everyday life, in relation to Naval
Aviation, a blast off from Kennedy beats a "3-wire"
any day of the week in terms of risk vs rewards. Those
on the shuttle put thier lives in each others hands as
we put our hopes and dreams in theirs.

May the stars always be your guide, and may we never
loose our hopes and dreams.

_____________________________________________________
Hank Heald
CO, Shuttle Titanium