Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA to observe Day of Remembrance

HUNTSVILLE — In honor of the members of the NASA family who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery for the benefit of all, the agency will host its annual Day of Remembrance Thursday.

Traditionally held on the fourth Thursday in January each year, NASA Day of Remembrance will commemorate the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia.

The Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville will hold a candle-lighting ceremony and wreath placement at 9 a.m. The ceremony will include remarks from Associate Director Larry Leopard, Bill Hill, director of Marshall’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, and an astronaut.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will lead an observance Thursday with Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and Associate Administrator Jim Free at Arlington National Cemetery, which will begin with a traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by observances for the Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia crews.

“Our annual Day of Remembrance honors the sacrifice of the NASA family who lost their lives in the pursuit of discovery,” said Nelson. “While it is a solemn day, we are forever thankful that our fallen heroes shared their spirt of exploration with NASA, our country, and the world. Today, and every day, we embrace NASA’s core value of safety as we expand our reach in the cosmos for the benefit of all humanity.”