Story Behind the Song
This idea was a result of a memorial service that I helped Father Dudak design, held in Carmel California at the Junipero Serra Mission honoring the crew of the Challenger, deceased. Jan 28,1986. We lit 10 candles for the Challenger Seven and Griffin, Chaffee and White, whose names were painted by the stars forming Orion. The painting was created for the service sharing a message of hope and renewal of dreams and aspirations. I stayed up all night working on the painting between the hours of 10 PM and 5 AM and then gave a brief talk at an early Mass about not giving up on your endeavors. The painted messages were "The Flame of Courage is the Heartbeat of Man," "The night sky is the common window to the universe shared by all. If upon viewing the constellation Orion, we recall those who answered the call of courage and go on with our own endeavors their memory will live on as a positive life force in a friendly sky." At the request of one of my collectors, a professor of astronomy at Harvard, I added the names of the Russians who were lost in space and more words. "May we have the courage to accept the challenge of honest understanding as they have the courage to accept the challenge of space."
I was moved emotionally when my family and I were VIP guests of an Astronaut friend, Bob Springer and family at a Shuttle launch. The earthshaking roar of the liftoff followed by the rumbling cadence will never be forgotten. We have more compassion for men accepting the challenge of space, rather than machines.
I sent the work to the senate committee on space appropriations after attaching a nameplate, "The Silent Lobbyist". In the accompanying letter I sent to the senate Committee I recommended that they consider the name 'Peace and Freedom' for our space station. You can not have peace with out freedom. They are inseparable. I suggested that they hang up the work while considering space appropriations, Then give it to the Challenger Foundation or the Kennedy Space Center. Sen. Garn brought it to June Scobee at the Challenger Foundation. June wrote a beautiful thank you letter, stating that the work could be borrowed to promote the idea.
While developing the idea of having the constellation Orion become a memorial, I visited Elision Onizukas parents on the Big Island Hawaii I was moved by a memorial obelisk in the Challenger’s memory dedicated to peace. It was shining bright as the sun, Like a miniature Washington Monument cast in silver and sunlight. I recalled one of Ellison’s favorite saying "American ends with two words: I Can"
Lyrics
Make The Constellation Orion, A Symbol for Heroes, who accept the challenge of risk in the service of mankind. 9/11/2001
Honor Heroes of the Past, Present and the Future. America working in concert with other Nation’s Governments could make Orion a bonding symbol of Courage and Sacrifice by joint formal proclamation, no cost, no maintenance.
"The constellation Orion is to be regarded as an International Symbol to Courage, Sacrifice, Peace and Honor of individuals serving Governments who are working together to end terrorism" Orion can be seen in both Hemispheres. It could be a comforting symbol some clear cold night in Afganistan, to our fighting heroes on the battlefield, the heroes families and a warning to those who would attack America and the world. Make Orion a symbol of the never ending cadre of American and other Heroes of many Nations. Not just those who have made the supreme sacrifice but those who unselfishly face danger daily in the service of their Country and Mankind. In the days and years a head they will answer the call for courage and confront the challenges that face mankind with increasing frequency. Take the torch of freedom handed down by the heroes of the past, and raise it up again in respectful memory of past heroes and appreciation of the courage of those every day heroes who accept the challenge of risk serving their fellow man. Share the idea and ask others to spread the concept of Orion as a symbol to courage, past present and future! Take a flash light out some clear night. Seek and find Orion and aim the beam at Orion. Look to the stars, you will come away more appreciative of the infinite.
Keep the spirit of respect and courage alive in dreams and Memories by using Orion as a symbol of Courage. Orion an ever traveling never ending symbol for our Heroes, Eternal as the Sky that Forever Holds it’s Beauty.
Over three hundred fireman and policemen gave their lives to try to save others. They are American heroes that should be honored. These brave men died in the service of mankind. Give them their due, To the families of those who gave their lives it would be an Eternal Memorial in the Heavens honoring the courage and sacrifice of New York's finest, The Firemen and Policemen who gave their lives trying to rescue others trapped in the World Trade Center. . .
I once had a vision of powerful spotlights tracing Orion's path around the world from East to West with cities honoring their own heroes.
Perhaps the spotlights could be turned on at Ground Zero in New York City and at the same at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.. A brief Ceremony, A drum roll, a twenty eight gun salute.(The loss of the Challenger crew Jan.28, 1986 gave birth to this idea.) A solitary Bugle playing Taps with a reflection on heroism, the dreams of man, the spirit of endeavor and hope and prayers for peace and freedom throughout the world. We can honor the diversity of their dreams and purpose by encouraging heroism and respect You would not have to travel to see the memorial, Orion would come to you on it's endless journey through the heavens. A flashlight could be your spotlight. Share the idea! Millions of dollars have been spent on memorials and not everyone can afford to go see them. Orion would come to you! When I reintroduced this idea during the Gulf War, I received a touching letter from a Navy wife whose husband was on a ship in the Mid-East. She said using Orion as a symbolic reminder of courage and sacrifice gave her a better appreciation of her husband's sense of duty, and it brought them closer together when they viewed the constellation, Orion.
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