Address on the Challenger Tragedy By: Garrett Ward

Background Ronald Wilson Reagan was born Feb. 6, 1911, in Tampico Illinois Reagan was educated at Eureka College and earned a bachelor degree in economics and sociology He later moved to los Angeles to try out a career of acting At the beginning of his political career he listed himself as part of the democratic party, but towards the 1950’s he switched to the republican party He was then elected as the 33rd governor of California The he was elected as the 40th president of the united states He was married to Nancy Davis from 1952- 2004 and had four children and adopted another He then died on June 5th 2004

http://www. youtube. com/watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEjXjfxoNXM&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Analysis This speech given by Ronald Reagan, is simply informing the country of how he and his family feels about the recent tragedy. It is to mourn with the country over the loss of these seven brave astronauts, but I think that is also intended to boost moral at the same time. In this speech Reagan also informs the country of his plans for the future of not just the space program, but also for the future of America.

Analysis Quotes “I’ve always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it. This quote really spoke to me because Reagan is saying that tragedies such as this one may happen, but he is persistent to improve America as much as he possibly can within his two terms. And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle’s takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It’s all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It’s all part of taking a chance and expanding man’s horizons. The future doesn’t belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.  This quote is great because he is telling everyone watching, (especially children) that they are the future of America and they should aspire to be whatever they want to be, and to go on with courage so that the country may succeed.

Ethos “I’ve always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it. We don’t hide our space program. We don’t keep secrets and cover things up. We do it all up front and in public. That’s the way freedom is, and we wouldn’t change it for a minute.” I think this quote adds credibility because here Reagan is saying that as a nation we must move past this tragedy and learn from failures. If we had just given up on the space program the world we know today may be very different, and by saying this I think Reagan is also giving the country hope.

Logos We’ve grown used to wonders in this century. It’s hard to dazzle us. But for twenty-five years the United States space program has been doing just that. We’ve grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we’ve only just begun. I’ve always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it. We don’t hide our space program. We don’t keep secrets and cover things up. We do it all up front and in public. That’s the way freedom is, and we wouldn’t change it for a minute. I think that these statements are based on logic because without the space program we might not be the country we are today. Its logical to learn from our mistakes and move on.

Pathos Today is a day for mourning and remembering. Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss. For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. But we feel the loss, and we’re thinking about you so very much. Here Reagan states that today is a day for mourning and remembering the lives of the people involved in this tragedy. He is also connecting with his audience in saying that he and his family feel the same sense of grief they do.

Literary devices Repetition: We remember Dick Scobee, the commander who spoke the last words we heard from the space shuttle Challenger. He served as a fighter pilot in Vietnam, earning many medals for bravery, and later as a test pilot of advanced aircraft before joining the space program. Danger was a familiar companion to Commander Scobee. We remember Michael Smith, who earned enough medals as a combat pilot to cover his chest, including the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals - and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, in gratitude from a nation that he fought to keep free. We remember Judith Resnik, known as J.R. to her friends, always smiling, always eager to make a contribution, finding beauty in the music she played on her piano in her off-hours etc. In the actual speech he says we remember many more times, some to remember the other astronauts who died in the crash and some to remember some of Americas past accomplishments and failures. Saying we remember is making the audience undterstand what he is saying better because he is accentuating the fact that america and all its people have been through a lot together.

SOAPSTONE The subject: The explosion of the challenger on January 18th, 1986 The occasion: President Reagan is speaking to the country about the explosion of the challenger shuttle craft which occurred on the same day the speech was given, which took the lives of seven brave American astronauts. The audience: The American people, future leaders (children) and the families of those involved.

SOAPSTONE The Purpose: The purpose is to remember the people who were lost in the crash and to inform the country that they must move on. The Speaker: President Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United States. The Tone: The tone of this speech is very sad mournful, but yet it is hopeful at the same time

Powerful Lines “I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle’s takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It’s all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It’s all part of taking a chance and expanding man’s horizons.” “I’ve always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it.” “The sacrifice of your loved ones has stirred the soul of our nation and, through the pain, our hearts have been opened to a profound truth - the future is not free, the story of all human progress is one of a struggle against all odds.” These lines are very powerful to me because they all sound very hopeful saying that tragedies such as this one may happen but sometimes that’s the price we must pay for a bright future.

Bibliography http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=147

ANY QUESTIONS?