Photo credit: www.nasa.gov

NASA to Honor Fallen Heroes on Day of Remembrance

Nasa will observe its annual Day of Remembrance on January 23rd, a solemn occasion dedicated to honoring those within the NASA family who made the ultimate sacrifice for human exploration and progress. This commemorative event, taking place on the fourth Thursday of January each year, recognizes the crews of Apollo 1, as well as the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia.

“On NASA’s Day of Remembrance, we pause to reflect on the bravery, dedication, and selflessness of the extraordinary individuals who pushed the boundaries of exploration and discovery,” remarked NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free. He emphasized the importance of honoring their legacies, stating, “Their legacies remind us of the profound responsibility we have to carry their dreams forward while ensuring safety remains our guiding principle.”

Free is scheduled to lead a memorial event at 1 p.m. EST at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, starting with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by dedications for the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia crews.

In addition to the main observance, various NASA centers will also host their own commemorative events:

Johnson Space Center in Houston

The Johnson Space Center will conduct a memorial service at 10 a.m. CST at the Astronaut Memorial Grove, featuring remarks from Center Director Vanessa Wyche. Attendees will observe a moment of silence, enjoy a flyover by a NASA T-38, hear taps performed by Texas A&M Squadron 17, and participate in a procession to honor the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia memorial trees.

Kennedy Space Center in Florida

A ceremony will take place at the Space Mirror Memorial in Kennedy’s Visitor Complex at 10 a.m. EST, hosted by NASA Kennedy and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation. Tal Ramon, the son of Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon from Columbia, will give remarks, along with Kelvin Manning, deputy director at NASA Kennedy. The event will also be streamed live on the center’s Facebook page.

Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley

The Ames Research Center plans to hold its remembrance ceremony at 1 p.m. PST, featuring comments from Center Director Eugene Tu, a moment of silence, and a bell ringing to honor those we lost.

Glenn Research Center in Cleveland

NASA Glenn’s observance is set for 1 p.m. EST, where Center Director Jimmy Kenyon will make remarks, followed by wreath placement, a moment of silence, and taps at Lewis Field.

Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia

The Langley Research Center will conduct a remembrance ceremony led by Acting Center Director Dawn Schaible, which will conclude with flag placements at the Langley Workers Memorial.

Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama

Marshall Space Flight Center will hold a candle-lighting ceremony and wreath placement starting at 9:30 a.m. CST, featuring remarks from Larry Leopard, associate director, alongside Bill Hill, director of Marshall’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance.

Stennis Space Flight Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

The Stennis Space Flight Center and the NASA Shared Services Center will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at 9 a.m. CST, which will include remarks from Center Director John Bailey and Anita Harrell, the executive director of the NASA Shared Services Center.

NASA is also providing special online content in honor of its fallen astronauts, which will be accessible on NASA’s Day of Remembrance at:

https://www.nasa.gov/dor

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Source
www.nasa.gov