A world wide effort to build a spot, in space an area to work,

We shuttled supplies and people there, so smooth, no effort or quirk.

Each flight there were seven who went along, each a specialist in their task

These seven were heroes, bold and strong, in the job that they were asked.

Each knew the possibility of their fate, each knew something may go wrong,

Yet they went without a fear, their days hard and long.

One day seven didn’t make it, they left us too early we know,

The Challenger crew is loved and missed, their families still tell us so.

As years went by, more flights left, this haven that we call Earth,

Each time seven heroes went along, and gave more their worth.

STS-107 on it’s homeward way, Left this haven we call Earth,

And with her went seven unsung heroes, as they gave their final worth.

To Columbia and Challenger we raise a toast, to heroes deep in our hearts,

We pray for their families coast to coast, In this love we will never be apart.

George R. McKinney
2-01-03