Communication Professor's Reaction to Ronald Reagan's Challenger Shuttle Speech

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FULL TEXT OF REAGAN'S SPEECH IS BELOW

ALEX’S CLASSES AT COMMUNICATION COACH ACADEMY:

ALEX’S CLASSES AT SKILLSHARE (Affiliate):

SPEECH TEXT (written by Peggy Noonan)

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd planned to speak to you tonight to report on the state of the Union, but the events of earlier today have led me to change those plans. Today is a day for mourning and remembering.

Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss.

Nineteen years ago, almost to the day, we lost three astronauts in a terrible accident on the ground. But we've never lost an astronaut in flight; we've never had a tragedy like this. And perhaps we've forgotten the courage it took for the crew of the shuttle; but they, the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their jobs brilliantly. We mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. We mourn their loss as a nation together.

For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. But we feel the loss, and we're thinking about you so very much. Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, "Give me a challenge and I'll meet it with joy." They had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths. They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us.

We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us. But for 25 years the United States space program has been doing just that. We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.

And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.

I've always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it. We don't hide our space program. We don't keep secrets and cover things up. We do it all up-front and in public. That's the way freedom is, and we wouldn't change it for a minute.

We'll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.

I want to add that I wish I could talk to every man and woman who works for NASA or who worked on this mission and tell them: "Your dedication and professionalism have moved and impressed us for decades. And we know of your anguish. We share it."

There's a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and an historian later said, "He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it." Well, today we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drake's, complete.

The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."

[kingcurmudgeon]

Don’t care what side of the aisle you’re on. Reagan was one of the best speechgivers of all time. And looking back he proved to be quite prophetic.

[davidnikoloff]

When the man was shot he joked with his doctors saying he should have ducked and asking if they were Republicans. His surgeon responded, “Today we are all Republicans Mr President.” Great man.

[alrightalright]

Man, it'd be nice to have another President who could speak even half as eloquently as Reagan, again some day...

[ahjort]

All these years later, and I still cry when I watch this speech. I was a school kid in Florida when this happened and we all ran outside to watch them takeoff. I’ll never forget that moment. I didn’t understand what happened at first and our science teacher burst into tears when she finally understood what we all just witnessed. It was then I knew. My family watched President Reagan’s speech and it wasn’t just the words but the sincerity that comforted the entire nation.

[simgingergirl]

There's such a sense of grandpa sitting down and having a personal talk with you.

[fredthompson]

I'm Canadian, and I always enjoyed listening to President Reagan's speeches. He truly was a great communicator. By contrast, our current Prime Minister comes off as an over the top drama teacher. He only speaks in empty platitudes.

[chrismiranda]

I remember this day like it was yesterday, I was 11 years old, in the 5th grade. The schools sent us home, and I remember going to my room. My father left work early, very unlike him to do so, because he knew that I would need him. We watched the president speak and my dad said that he needed to go to his room. I heard him crying and praying to God to watch over the families of the Challenger 7 crew and to watch over the children of this nation for having to witness something so tragic. I heard that he did the same thing after the attacks on 9/11. I was serving in the Marine Corps. My father passed away in 2008, and I can count on one hand the times that I saw or heard him cry. This will always make me cry because of that.

[chrisnorman]

As usual with politics there are a myriad of views on his presidency, however I believe this man's love for our country and it's people are unequalled in our time. Growing up in the 80's there were some fairly tense moments between us and the Soviet Union and when they happened it was him that came on television to explain what was going on and to help alleviate our fears. Even as a kid you /knew/ this man was going to move heaven and earth if necessary to keep you safe. I highly recommend watching his farewell speech as well if you've never heard it. Rest in peace Mr. President.

[dr.medieval]

I still get choked up with the last line of that beautiful and well delivered speech. It's almost like Reagan was meant to be President at that exact moment in time. Like fate almost.

[OkOk-kkys]

His voice is warm, calm and reassuring.

[Christobanistan]

I remember when I was 10 years old, in 4th grade, being brought in to watch the Challenger launch in the morning, then a few hours later, watching Reagan's speech. It was exactly what we all needed. RIP President Reagan, and the Challenger seven, and all our national heroes! ♥

[nobodyforgets]

"Touch the Face of God" - Such a wonderful closing. It is a promise to the fallen heroes and a reminder to all rest of us.💕

[colinpumpernickel]

I think most of us in the UK were very fond of Ronald Reagan. He always seemed genuine and was a great communicator.
The way he met Mikael Gorbechov half way and did his part in improving U.S. Soviet relations was very impressive.

[hoganfan]

I’ve seen this speech many times and it still puts a lump in my throat, and tear in my eye. I don’t know how he could have done it any better. Truly the right man at the right time.

[frankscarborough]

Loved Ronald Reagan. Still appreciate him so much. He wasn’t called the great communicator for nothing.

[bitcrafter]

Peggy Noonan actually wrote this speech. As with everything, I'm sure Reagan added his notes, he had an amazing ability to put his stamp on it.

[chrisbera]

Reagan wasn't called " The great communicator" for nothing. He honed his speaking skills starting with acting, but really working for GE, traveling the country giving speeches. His caring and strength came through.

[YearsApart]

I was one of those children he was talking to. I remember being in the 5th grade and going outside to watch the shuttle. We saw the explosion, but didn't understand what had happened. The teacher called us back into the classroom and the TV was on as she sat their weeping. I'll never forget it.

[kerrymadgett]

A master orator Ronald Regan speaks YOU listened and felt the moment. Major credit to the writers of this speech to remember. These words spoke for the heart of the people of America.

[professorbuc]

I grew up with the "surly bonds of earth" on the wall of our family house, as my Dad was a pilot. It dropped me cold when I watched Reagan say it live in 1986. He is part of the Reason I love teaching Public Speaking. Great Reaction, Alex! Thanks!