A Miracle at the Cape

Royal wedding watch aside, the biggest story on Friday will be the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavor with Commander Mark Kelly at the controls. While the burst of flames from the launch pad at the Cape will be garnering most of the camera clicks and video roll the bigger story will be on the observation deck. And no, it won't be for President Obama and his family who are expected to be on hand.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will be present to watch her husband, Commander Kelly and his crew launch the shuttle Endeavor for the last time. The congresswoman has been in an intensive rehab program in Houston for a brain injury sustained when she was shot in the head at a political event in Tucson in early January. Six people were killed in that attack by a lone gunman.

Sporting a turqouise "Gabby" wristband upon his arrival in Florida with the Endeavor crew earlier this week, Commander Kelly spoke about his wife's miraculous recovery and her anticipated arrival at the Kennedy Space Center, "It’s something she’s been looking forward to for a long time," he said. "She’s been working really hard to make sure that her doctors would permit her to come. She’s more than medically ready to be here, and she’s excited about making this trip."

Royal watcher's won't like this, but I think the Congresswoman's appearance at the Kennedy Space Center is a far more interesting story than a wedding whose cost could probably retire the debt of a few state governments, or feed a small country.

Endeavor is scheduled for its last launch at 3:47 P.M. EDT, Friday. Gabrielle Giffords presence will remind all of us that life is worth fighting for and terror (whether global, national, or local) does not get the last word in a free country. Her presence also serves to bring healing to the families of the six people who died in the attack. God speed Commander Kelly, Endeavor crew and Congresswoman Giffords!