Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

ALBANY, GA. -- The last Thursday of January is a Day of Remembrance for NASA. Each year on this day, NASA takes time to remember the 17 astronauts who lost their life in the line of duty. All NASA centers will fly their flags at half-staff today. NASA will also lay wreathes at various memorials. This Day of Rememberance is particularly special, as Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the Challenger disaster.

NASA's three space-related fatalities occurred within days of one another but years apart. Three astronauts were killed in the Apollo 1 launch pad fire on Jan. 27, 1967. Seven more died aboard Challenger on Jan. 28, 1986. And the seven-member crew of Columbia perished during re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003.

Where were you for these disasters? What do you remember? Share your thoughts and stories from any of these days in the comments section below.

I was in elementary school when the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster happened. I remember my teacher telling everyone that the space shuttle had exploded right after take off. For the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, I rememeber my mom calling me while I was up at college. Growing up in Southern California gave me the unique opportunity to see the space shuttle land numerous times at Edwards Air Force Base. My parents would pull me out of school so we could drive a couple hours to see the shuttle land. The space shuttle holds a special place in my heart. There was just something about knowing the shuttle was just in space and hearing the sonic boom's as it glided down to a landing right in front of me.

Apollo 1 - January 27, 1967

Crew: Command Pilot Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Senior Pilot Edward H. White, Pilot Roger B. Chaffee

Space Shuttle Challenger STS-51-L - January 28, 1986

Crew: Commander Francis "Dick" Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialist 1 Ellison Onizuka, Mission Specialist 2 Judith Resnik, Mission Specialist 3 Ronald McNair, Payload Specialist 1 Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Payload Specialist 2 Gregory Jarvis

Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 - February 1, 2003

Crew: Commander Rick D. Husband, Pilot William C. McCool, Mission Specialist 1 David M. Brown, Mission Specialist 2 Kalpana Chawla, Payload Commander Michael P. Anderson, Mission Specialist 4 Laurel B. Clark, Payload Specialist 1 Ilan Ramon (Israel)

The Associated Press contributed to this report.