I remember it well. I was at home, had recently been laid-off from the job I had at the time, and had the flu anyway. Sitting in my kitchen with a cup of coffee and watching the launch on live TV.
I was stunned, shocked, in tears because I knew the crew had no chance. I called my best friend and woke him up, he was also shocked and immediately turned on his own TV.
This one of those moments you never forget, like 9/11, the Apollo 11 landing, Kennedy's assasination (I was only six then but remember my parents and grandparents sobbing).
Every time I hear those words "You are GO for throttle-up", I am there again.