America must dream again, and have the faith to achieve the dream.

You can tell I'm not too bashful about some of my feelings.

I grew up in a country that I thought was special. And it was.

It's real easy to manufacture what you think the people want to hear. But that's not very honest.

I was the first Navy, Marine or Air Force person who had been an astronaut to return back to the Air Force. I had certain expectations about what would be a reasonable and desirable position to be assigned to after my years of service.

They didn’t tell me I was going into space until after they locked the shuttle doors and started counting down.

As we reflect back upon the tragic loss of Challenger and her brave crew of heroes who were aboard that fateful day, I am reminded that they truly represented the best of us, as they climbed aloft on a plume of propellant gasses, reaching for the stars, to inspire us who were Earthbound.