In 2003, the town of Hemphill, in Deep East Texas, was thrust into the spotlight after the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy.

After rising to the occasion and responding with hospitality, heroism, and humility, the people of this community adopted the motto, “Their Mission Became Our Mission.”

One of the most visible actions taken to preserve the legacy of the STS-107 crew was the creation of The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum ‘Remembering Columbia’ in 2011. It serves as a memorial to the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy and as an educational facility dedicated to creating science and technology-inspiring learning opportunities for children and adults.

With no public funding, this museum is sustained entirely by private contributions. Perhaps a testament to that enduring “mission,” the museum has earned the support of an impressive list of supporters with a shared vision of STEAM-related careers for students in rural East Texas.

As a board member for the ‘Remembering Columbia’ Museum, I’ve been witness to this generosity of time, talent, and treasure.

Over the last decade, the museum has been particularly blessed by the involvement of current and former NASA engineers and administrators, government contractors, astronauts, educators, aerospace professionals, and even the families of the STS-107 crew members.

Over the years, an impressive number of former astronauts from Columbia’s prior 27 missions have made the “pilgrimage” to Hemphill for private reflection, visits, lectures, and other museum events.

The latest alumna is spaceflight pioneer Eileen Collins, who made history aboard Columbia on STS-93 in 1999 as the the first-ever female shuttle commander. Four years earlier in 1995, Collins became broke another barrier as the the first female Shuttle pilot on STS-63.

Collins, fellow astronaut Clayton Anderson, and spaceflight author (and longtime friend of the museum) Jonathan Ward attended the museum’s annual Galactic Gala fundraiser on October 9, 2021 as guests of Evelyn Husband-Thompson, widow of STS-106 commander Rick Husband.

It was a real treat to hear her perspectives on the future of spaceflight and her experiences at NASA.

The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of KLTV/KTRE-TV or Gray Television. They are solely the opinion of the author. All content © Copyright 2021 Lane Luckie