So I am from a town near Concord NH. Got this local flyer in the mail today. A nice little article about the McAuliffe dollar being released. I still remember where I was that day. Do you?
Although this is a wonderful tribute to Christa and the space program I find it lacking that she's the only one being commemorated. What about: Ellison Onizuka Ronald McNair Judith Resnik Dick Scobee Gregory Jarvis Michael J. Smith It was no less tragic for each of these men and women and their families. RIP to each of them.
Agreed - however, the article clearly states that their intent was looking to gear this tribute towards education; a "teacher" - particularly since she was a female teacher. But yes, leaving out the other victims was in poor taste, IMO.
I really hope so. Yes, Crista McAuliffe was important, but she was an afterthought as far as a person on that spaceship and the others were very important to the primary mission. People in general remember her because of the buildup to that particular mission and therefore don't seem to remember the others. That is a shame. Seven died in that explosion and allwere important.
My youngest son was born the day of the tragedy so I find it easier to remember the date. As for the coin, like others, I kind of resent the idea of honoring her alone of the crew.
I remember exactly where I was this tragic day. Working for publisher Wayne Green, in Peterborough NH. I for one am looking forward to this coin. I'm signed up for Text Alerts on the release date. Being a New Hampshire teacher, Christa has a special connection to all us NH residents. Especially those if us lucky enough to have a connection to the next generation through teachers. The coin was originally an idea of Dean Kamon, another outstanding individual doing wonderful things for kids in this state. Kamon is the founder of FIRST, an organization for kids to understand use and enjoy science and technology. Some of you may recognize him as the inventor of the Segway. In his words “We thought that if we created a coin that could be the national recognition of a teacher, of a woman that went into space, it would be the perfect way to demonstrate that we could inspire an entire generation of kids to appreciate science and technology,” The "FIRST" logo appears on the reverse of the coin, along with what has now become Christa's immortal words "I Touch the Future, I Teach". Seven stars on the reverse represent the seven astronauts who died in the Challenger disaster. Please don't hate this coin because it doesn't show more, rather appreciate it for what it is. NO, I DON'T BELIEVE ANY OF US HAVE FORGOTTEN THE CREW OF CHALLENGER. YouTube video of unveiling ceremony at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord NH, by U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe (Christa's husband) and FIRST founder Dean Kamen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlKPL7yE0s U.S. mint press release Christa McAuliffe 2021 Uncirculated Silver Dollar PHILADELPHIA (P) Commemorative Coin Program This product will be available for sale - TBD Item Number: 21CJ Christa McAuliffe 2021 Proof Silver Dollar PHILADELPHIA (P) Commemorative Coin Program This product will be available for sale - TBD Item Number: 21CH
They could have done one for each and accomplished both or done like one side for teaching and the other for the crew. However you break it down it's in poor taste to just single out one on a tragedy like that. I don't expect this one to be very popular
I remember Dean Kamen's appearances on the "60 Minutes" television program announcing the secret "world's greatest invention" which turned out to be the Segway. I do have a question about the coin reverse. The teacher is pointing out stars to children but most elementary school classes meet during the day.
I'll bet the 7 stars are for the 7 crewmembers, and the teacher is not pointing at the stars, but is pointing towards the future.
I was in the 4th grade watching it live on a TV sitting on a roll cart. Being on the Florida east coast, we watched every launch. Awful day. And they should have made it with all their names.
I was in 4th grade too but didn't get to see the launch. When I got home from school Mom was watching the news coverage and told us what happened.
i'll pass on getting one of these coins, just not very interesting to me being a space explorer is a dangerous job anything could go wrong and it has and killed people but that is the risk that goes with that job where one mistake can kill many