Fox_NASCAR_Guy's Blog

Seven years ago all our lives changed.

We as a collective nation changed as well.

In the blink of an eye a group of evil men shook us from our slumber and made us realize that we were never really safe here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

As the generation before us remembered where they were and what they were doing when John F. Kennedy was shot, we can say precisely what we were doing and where we were on September 11, 2001. It’s stamped on our consciousness. Frozen there for the rest of our lives. We may not be able to remember last weeks grocery list or your name when we see you again, but we can still recall that moment in time that scarred us forever.

Horror, shock, disbelief, sadness, anger. All of those emotions ran through us that day, no matter where we were or what we were doing.

Some of us put on a uniform, traveled to distant lands and struck back. There was a measure of satisfaction in that. But even those of us privileged enough to be part of the eagle’s talon will never be the same. Killing is a grisly business, even when it’s the right thing to do. For some who went, theirs lives were not only changed, they were ended. And those of us witness to it, died a little bit as well.

Indeed all of our lives have been altered.

Since that terrible, awful day, nothing as been the same, we are forced to constantly look over our shoulders, be suspicious, cast a weary eye to strangers.

For God’s sakes we can’t even take toothpaste on an airplane now.

But there are those among us whose life will never be the same, no matter what. Because someone they once said the words ‘I love you’ to, is gone.

They called them husband, wife, father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter.

These people would gladly exchange all the little inconveniences for just one more hug, one more ‘I love you’, one last goodbye.

To those who watched people they loved leap from a tower; heard cry out on a cell phone from an airplane or who rest in the ground at places such as Arlington National cemetery we say this.

God Bless you all.

You have sacrificed more than anyone of us ever will. You have struggled to cope with the loss of someone who can never be replaced. And you continue to struggle each and every day.

And we as a nation can do no more than reach out our collective arms, hold you close and whisper; we shall never forget.

No matter which side of the debate, or which side of the aisle we are on, there is one thing we can all agree to tell you and that is this; Because of the sacrifice of your loved one, and your continued sacrifice, you have helped secure the blessings of Liberty not only for this generation, but for generations yet to come.

We owe you a debt of gratitude we shall never be able to repay. You are one of the many reasons that we are now and shall always remain, one Nation under God, with Liberty and Justice for all

The final story I filed for FOX Saturday from KSC is below...did I have fun? Duh! It was not only a great time, but whenever I watch a launch it makes me proud to be an American!

Something funny....I watched/photographed the launch from the edge of the lagoon behind the big clock...I've never been near that famous clock so with three minutes to go I called someone and told them to look on live TV they did and I told them to tell me when they showed the clock...well they said 'now' and I'd be standing to one side and I'd wave..but live TV was only showing brief flashes of the clock and since there is a time delay we never did get it right....course all people who were out there probably thought the sun had gotten to me....very un-reporter like I know but what the heck ...another thing that happened in the post launch press conference I asked a question...what I didn't realize is they show  it live on NASA TV AND I didn't know that they have a camera that faces reporters when they ask a question...I asked my question and even before the answer was finished my phone was vibrating in my pocket (thank goodness I remembered to turn it down!)..I checked it when it was over...it was a text from my sister in North Carolina, one line it said 'Geez man you need a haircut'!

PHOTO GALLERY

Discovery Races Towards Space Station

By Greg Engle
FOX 35 NEWS
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) --Space Shuttle Discovery topped off a picture perfect Florida day by a perfect on time launch from Kennedy Space Center Saturday.

STS –124 roared off the launch pad at exactly 5:02 p.m. EST and streaked towards orbit in a nearly cloudless sky after a flawless countdown.

In the post launch analysis officials said they found a problem with a backup maneuvering rocket or ‘gimble’ on the left engine. According to officials they saw a ‘potential failure’ and will test the system but don’t feel it will impact the mission at all. If the system doesn’t check out, there would only a loss of redundancy they said.

There were also five small pieces of foam that broke away during the launch. It was pieces of foam that broke off during a launch that doomed the shuttle Columbia. The external fuel tank had undergone several design changes since then and the Discovery carried the latest redesign Saturday.

The five pieces of foam that broke off Saturday were very small according to officials and happened during a part of the ascent that causes them no concern. However as they have done with every shuttle flight an inspection will be done to ensure no damage was done.  The inspection for Discovery will come on flight day 14.
 
Among the tasks during the 14-day mission, Discovery will deliver the Kibo Japanese science laboratory to the International Space Station.

There were absolutely no problems in the days leading up to the launch and NASA even felt confident enough that they elected to fuel the shuttle earlier than planned Saturday. Launch director Mike Leinbach said that in fact in the overall preparation for STS-124 a record was tied for the fewest trouble reports.

Even the weather forecast that had called for a 20% chance of run was upgraded early in the afternoon to less than a 10% chance for showers. At launch time only a few small clouds hung over the launch site.

“It was a gorgeous launch,” said Launch Director Leinbach. “An extremely smooth countdown. We just had nothing to talk about. I wish every day could be like this.”

The Discovery is now racing towards the International Space Station and will dock with it on Monday afternoon.

My stuff from the live blog I did....

Good afternoon from the press site at Kennedy Space Center! I’ve been to KSC for a launch before but I’ve never been here to cover it and report on it and I have to tell you this is way cool!

I got here just before noon and even before I got set up, they loaded a bunch of us on buses and we went and watched the STS-124 crew load into the van for the trop to the pad. Being at my first ‘crew walk’ was quite an experience and I’m looking forward to the rest of the day!

We are processing the first photos, these are from the crew walk and they will be up on MyFoxOrlando and here on the blog soon!

UPDATE 2:50

The astronauts are strapped in, and the clock is counting down and so far everything appears to be a go…the astronauts are doing communications checks and the weather looks good…the close out crew is finishing up and will soon close and secure the hatch.
One very poignant moment during the crew walk came when the crew came out two little girls standing with their mom in front of me started cheering and saying bye dad! We love you etc…the families are forbidden from coming in contact with their loved ones for a week prior to the launch to prevent illnesses…so it was really cool being there as the kids said goodbye and good luck to their dad!


Another observation came to mind, at the press site here, looking at all the news outlets that are set up reminds me of a scene from the 1960’s…I can almost hear Walter Cronkite calling an Apollo launch! I’ll take some more pictures and get them uploaded soon!

UPDATE 5:25


Space Shuttle Discovery topped off a picture perfect Florida day by a perfect on time launch from Kennedy Space Center Saturday.

STS –124 roared off the launch pad at exactly 5:02 p.m. EST and streaked towards orbit in a nearly cloudless sky after a flawless countdown.

Among the tasks during the 14-day mission, Discovery will deliver the Kibo Japanese science laboratory to the International Space Station.

There were absolutely no problems in the days leading up to the launch and NASA even felt confident enough that they elected to fuel the shuttle earlier than planned Saturday.

Even the weather forecast that had called for a 20% chance of run was upgraded early in the afternoon to less than a 10% chance for showers. At launch time only a few small clouds hung over the launch site.

The next task for the Discovery will come on Monday afternoon when it docks with the International Space Station.

The same teacher busted three times for having sex with students for real.

Cops near Tampa went to check up on 29-year old Stephanie Ragusa Monday and say they found her walking out of a boy's house after a fresh romp.

They took her clothes for evidence and threw her in jail for the third time in 2 months.    

From what cops say you'd think this woman's drawn to trouble like flies to stink.

The last 2 times she got out on bail cops say she sent love notes and text messages to the boys.    

This time she’ll stay in jail until Friday’s hearing.

Tonight we want you to blog it.

Do you think the systems too easy on female teachers busted for this kind of thing?

Walt Disney World, one of the most family-friendly places on the planet, announced that, Victoria & Albert's, a five diamond restaurant inside the Grand Floridian would no longer accept reservations for parties that include children under 10 years old.

We want to know what you think, is it ok to ban kids from fancy restaurants?

A new law on the books in the state of New Jersey bans some sex offenders from using the Internet.

Convicted sex offenders who used the Internet to commit their crimes will face restrictions on using the web. If they get caught  the offender could face a $10,000 fine and a year and a half in prison.

We want to know what you think: Good idea? Bad idea? Can it be enforced? Should the law be considered here in Florida?

New Years Eve is almost here! There are plenty of celebrations planned in Central Florida...

If you have plans we want to know about them; What New Years Eve celebration do you love that others may not know about?