Anglican Communion News Service

by Dwight Zscheile

[ENS] Vice President Dick Cheney, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe, Bishop John Chane, a local Episcopal priest and a rabbi were amongst those who paid solemn tribute to the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia at a memorial service on 6 February at Washington National Cathedral.

Speaking to an audience of nearly 1,500 grieving family members, NASA colleagues, members of Congress, dignitaries and the general public, Mr Cheney saluted the courage of the Columbia 7. "Every great act of exploration involves great risk," he said. "The crew of the Columbia accepted that risk in service to all mankind." He reiterated the nation's commitment to space exploration, pledging that "their greatest memorial will be a vibrant space program and new missions."

NASA chief Sean O'Keefe, praised astronauts Rick Husband, William McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, Laurel Clark and Ilan Ramon as examples of "the best of the human spirit." While vowing to continue and strengthen NASA's shuttle program, he also acknowledged the limits of our scientific and technological endeavours. "Our hope is not ultimately a hope grounded in the progress of human achievements," said Mr O'Keefe. "It is grounded in the sure and certain faith in a Creator who calls Rick, Willie, Michael, Kalpana, David, Laurel, Ilan - and each of us - by name."

Retired astronaut, Col Robert Cabana, sketched colourful personal anecdotes of each of the seven crew members, recalling a moment shortly before the crew boarded Columbia for takeoff in which this diverse group of men and women from different faiths and countries huddled, arms linked, in joint prayer.

Other participants included Brigadier General Charles Baldwin, deputy chief of chaplains, United States Air Force, who delivered the homily, and Rabbi Warren Stone, president of the Washington Board of Rabbis, who read from the Book of Isaiah and offered prayers in Hebrew and English.

Courage, commitment, curiosity

The Revd Stephen McWhorter, vicar of St David's Episcopal Church in Ashburn, Virginia, read from 2 Corinthians and prayed in thanksgiving "for the courage, commitment and curiosity that led them to reach beyond our world toward the stars." Fr McWhorter, founding pastor of one of the nation's fastest-growing Episcopal congregations, spoke of the sacrifice that accompanies love, calling Jesus God's "ultimate gift of love to us, but it is a gift not without cost."

The Rt Revd John Chane, Bishop of Washington, began his blessing with a quotation from the Book of Common Prayer: "O creator God, at your command all things came to be; the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, moons, the planets in their courses and this fragile earth our island home." Bishop Chane continued to pray, "Yet even in our sorrow; bless and strengthen our resolve to fly tomorrow even higher than the wings of an eagle have taken us today."

Patti LaBelle offered a heartfelt performance of Way Up There, a song commissioned by NASA last year. She was joined by the US Navy Band and the Air Force Singing Sergeants.

Attending the service were such luminaries as former astronaut and US senator, John Glenn, as well as hundreds of NASA employees, many of whom sat weeping quietly for their lost colleagues.

Across the front of the Cathedral were lined the flags of the United States, Israel and NASA. Near the conclusion of the service, the haunting notes of "Taps" reverberated through the limestone expanse from a lone bugler standing near the high altar.

Dwight Zscheile is a member of Episcopal Communicators and executive pastor of St David's Episcopal Church in Ashburn, Virginia