I am awestruck each time a shuttle takes off. It is so amazing. I can only imagine what it's like to see it firsthand. This program is one of America's great accomplishments. Today's launch was bittersweet, and it brought tears and a collection of memories. I've been following this since my junior high days. Back then, classrooms didn't come with TVs and the internet. My biology teacher, Mr. Phelps, always made sure he requested one for shuttle launches and landings. We followed the saga of the damaged tiles for months.

I found out today that my great uncle worked on some of the technology in the 70s and 80s. It was nice to have a familial connection. I've always been fascinated with the shuttles. We toured Cape Canaveral as part of our honeymoon.

One day, I was driving home on Virginia Beach Blvd., and the shuttle went over at a low altitude. It was piggy-backing on a jet. I almost drove off the road. I didn't expect to see that so close.

The Challenger disaster is one of those days in our collective history that folks remember where they were and what they were doing. For me, it was the first day of school in my freshman year of college (spring semester 1986). Before class started, a kid rushed into my psych class to announce the disaster. Everyone left to watch the coverage on the tv in the lounge down the hall. I thought I wanted to be a teacher back then, so we were all following the first teacher. Sadly, there was a second disaster in 2003 with the Columbia.

What an amazing run and an incredible program. The technology and science have touched us in more ways than we'll ever know. Today was historic. It's a sad that an era ends, but new things are ahead of us.

Godspeed, Atlantis!