Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to School Project:What do you remember....

re: I was wiring in a tech control facility in Taegu, ROK . . .
D. Spires — (archived)

In the Army, I was laying lines up on the cable ladder above the patch bays, and I could see the monitor clearly from where I was working. The Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) TV channel was just one of the thousands of lines we maintained, so the onsite television was simply a mandatory "tool" we all managed to enjoy.

The launch appeared to go without a hitch, and I was feeling happy about it. One of the install team was handing me a cable from below, and I leaned to take it from him. Just then, I heard Mr. Kim, one of our Lead Korean Techs. Just two words.

"What happened?"

It was almost a whisper, and there was not a sound from anyone else. I looked over to the screen, and I could see the plumes from the tumbling, smoking debris. I took a deep breath, and returned to my cable hauling.

I was technically AWOL the next day, but everyone knew where I was. My First Sergeant came down to my home away from home (the local OB Bar) later that afternoon and got me back to the barracks. I was at work the following day.

I don't recall anyone mentioning it again, and it was several years before I ever did.

Dan

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