Arlington Teacher Invited to NASA Memorial Service

By Mary Frances McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/13/03)

"In the wake of the tragedy of the Columbia and its astronauts, seven people have come to light as modern day heroes. But they were heroes, people of great character and depth long before Saturday. When profiled in the media, they were recognized for their spirit, people of great intellect who had a tremendous desire to learn; well-rounded people who could function together as a team; people who grabbed at life for the simple and the great. Indeed, they were the best," wrote Rosemary Callahan, a fifth-grade teacher at St. Charles Borromeo School in Arlington.

Callahan was personally invited to attend the private memorial service at Washington National Cathedral last week to honor the seven Columbia astronauts killed in the shuttle disaster. Callahan was asked to attend after the letter she wrote on Monday was read to NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe by Colleen Readdy, the finance officer at St. Charles Borromeo School and wife of former astronaut William Readdy. O’Keefe was moved by Callahan’s words and felt that her letter should be part of the eulogy he delivered.

Callahan was seated next to veteran astronauts, John Glenn and Readdy at the service. Readdy has three children attending St. Charles Borromeo School; one is a student of Callahan.

Callahan said she was "very humbled to be surrounded by such amazing people, working to better life here on earth for everyone."

All of the students at the school wrote letters expressing their sorrow for the lives that were lost on Feb. 1. The letters were addressed to "Captain Readdy and the NASA family."

Benedictine Sister M. Benedict Kesock, principal, said "Our hearts have just been broken." Because of the school’s connection to NASA through the Readdy family, the students felt particularly affected by this disaster.

Both Vice President Dick Cheney and Sean O’Keefe delivered eulogies at the service.

O’Keefe made reference to the letters written by the students at St. Charles Borromeo School and he read from the letter written by Callahan. He quoted Callahan when he said, "These seven people are our heroes — a noble and brave team. Our children need heroes, real heroes. Today your hearts are heavy, may your spirits be comforted and your work be continued into the future. And in time may God grant you a light heart."

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