tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252240658471134164.post2432888818196338602..comments2024-03-04T04:46:53.304-08:00Comments on Test Driving Life: I Remember the Challenger DisasterSteve Schaeferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15049487625035901942noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3252240658471134164.post-37730765804086802202014-07-14T05:50:42.596-07:002014-07-14T05:50:42.596-07:00I was in Navy bootcamp in Orlando FL from January ...I was in Navy bootcamp in Orlando FL from January through March of 1986. We had to march as a unit to and from the chow hall, to the barracks, to medical for shots...everywhere. The first people out of the chow hall were supposed to start lining up in formation and the rest would fall in ranks as the came out of the chowhall and we would all march back to the barracks as a unit.Myself and a half dozen or so recruits had just formed up, standing at parade rest, looking at the sky...because what else is there to do at parade rest? I saw 2 or 3 trails of white smoke that seemed to be very close in front of me. Suddenly BOOM! The big orange ball we've all seen so many times. This happened right before ky eyes. I had no idea what it was. In bootcamp, you are somewhat insulated feom news or current events, so I didn't know there was going to be a launch. When we got back to the barracks, our company commander told us the bad news. He had a friend that worked at the space center and arranged a VIP tour for us. I will never forget that visual of the spiraling smoke trails, the boom, and the orange ball. It was so close and so surreal. I didn't quote feel right about touring the facility as a special guest. I didn't do anything to deserve it. We had no cboice but to go anyway. It was definitely a sad feeling when I found out what I just witnessed.SlickRick63https://www.blogger.com/profile/16646302808367466968noreply@blogger.com