January 29, 2011
"It is bittersweet, but it's so sweet to see how his life has been something of good," Cheyrl McNair says.
The name Ron McNair is synonymous with several things to the town of Lake City. Groundbreaking, pioneer, someone who has overcome adversity, tragedy. Ronald McNair first flew into space in 1984.
On that trip, he played his saxophone while in orbit. He was the second African-American, and the first African-American civilian to do so. He lost his life on would have been his second mission. 25 years ago Friday, when the space shuttle Challenger exploded after take off.
"It wasn't until after the accident that I realized Ron was doing something radical." Brother Eric McNair says. "It was just something my brother always did."
Lake City's old public library is now a museum showcasing Ron's life history. Inside are pictures and stories about McNair, from his childhood to his death. Next to the library, stands a statue, Ron's gravesite, and starting Saturday a new life history center.
About 50 or so people stopped in the center during its opening this morning, including family, friends, and many in Lake City who still remember Ron.
Vicky McGill who was in college when it was announced McNair was joining NASA., "I was surprised. Amazing. To see someone come up from a county like this here. This is amazing."
And for Ron's brother Carl, who is founder and president emeritus of Ronald E. McNair foundation, reaching your dreams is his brother's legacy.
"He just liked science, he just liked math. I mean that was an inherent thing that he had, and he did well in it. He absorbed it; he looked for more of it," he said.
Many people say the small town boy inspired them to break the barriers of color and adversity. His brother says that stands true as the exhibit at the learning center ends on the note of the challenger crew, showing their smiling faces, all of different ethnicities and backgrounds.
If Ronald McNair was alive today, he would be 60 years old. His widow, Cheryl says the couple had planned to move back to Lake City following Ron's second mission.
"He was worried about the youth," she says. "He wanted to establish a youth center, or teach, or do something with the University of South Carolina."
Today, the center, Cheryl McNair says is the first step. The vision is a multiphase center that will eventually include computers and other technology to help children learn math and science.
Among the people who has been touched in South Carolina by Ron McNair, Charles Bolden. He says it was McNair who encouraged him to apply to the space program. Bolden is now the head of NASA.
Related stories:
Lake City's Allyson Floyd remembers the Challenger disaster
Lake City remembers Ron McNair
