General Discussion

Tommy Carcetti

(44,511 posts)

6. I was a kid and my family was taking a January vacation in Florida at the time

Wed Jan 28, 2026, 04:51 PM

Jan 28

We had never seen a launch before but were excited about the prospect.

It was a cold day. The night before the moon was full and red, almost a bad omen.

We were driving along when I first saw the contrail over the horizon. We immediately pulled over, got out of the car. My dad started snapping pictures.

We saw the contrail divide into two but didn't think anything of it. We figured it was just how these launches normally were. We got back into the car, turned on the radio, and that's when we heard the news. I remember my mom gasping. I remember stopping to eat for lunch and the entire restaurant being deathly quiet.

I still remember it as clearly as I did 40 years ago.

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erronis electric_blue68 lastlib c-rational

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40 Years Ago Today: [View all] lastlib Jan 28 OP

I was living in Jacksonville Fl at the time pfitz59 Jan 28 #1

😢 Clouds Passing Jan 28 #2

I watched the shuttle Columbia land 7/4/82 at Edwards AFB, CA dickthegrouch Jan 28 #3

Watched it in school JustAnotherGen Jan 28 #4

Im no fan, but that day, Reagan was the president this nation needed. Volaris Jan 28 #5

We never needed Reagan! CountAllVotes Jan 28 #7

Anybody would have been better than Reagan. Well except for trump, shrub, nixon, ... erronis Jan 28 #11

I was just going to mention that Polybius Jan 28 #20

Yes, he read Peggy Noonan's speech without making a mistake misanthrope Jan 28 #22

All modern Presidents have speechwriters Polybius Jan 29 #27

I was a kid and my family was taking a January vacation in Florida at the time Tommy Carcetti Jan 28 #6

Wow - what an exceptional time to be there and what a memory! erronis Jan 28 #12

I was living in southeast Orlando at the time and saw the unusual plumes while looking out from a loading dock. dameatball Jan 28 #8

Shuttle launches canetoad Jan 28 #9

Damn time flies malaise Jan 28 #10

I remember feeling overwhelming sadness... BurnDoubt Jan 28 #13

I think we all remember where we were when that happened. llmart Jan 28 #14

Oh, woah. I do remember; just forget the date .... electric_blue68 Jan 28 #15

I was in a dorm lounge at ECSU watching the TV with a friend. debsy Jan 28 #16

I remember. I had stopped for gas, and the store had the tv on niyad Jan 28 #17

A tragic, sad day democrank Jan 28 #18

I was at home sick that day. Xavier Breath Jan 28 #19

The day before my 25th birthday. IrishAfricanAmerican Jan 28 #21

Medicare, baby! lastlib Jan 28 #23

Thanks! Started it first of the year. IrishAfricanAmerican Jan 28 #25

Very sad day, l remember it well 😪 Raine Jan 28 #24

It's sort of like when JFK and John Lennon and 9/11 occurred BigmanPigman Jan 28 #26