A nation morns its heroes: 

The Colorado Explorer Disaster 

Seven geologists had spent a week on a field trip, hitting rocks with hammers at the summit of the conveniently Rocky mountains. On the 2nd of February the moment had come to make the journey back down the treacherous mountain trail. At 11.35 EST, cell phone communication with the Explorer�s driver was lost, with just 15 minutes of their decent remaining. Witnesses who saw the hulking 2 ton, steel bodied truck careering off the side of the mountain said it was exactly like a �tear drop from heaven�. The incident occurred at an altitude of 2000 ft above the state of Colorado, the flaming debris spread over a seven by ten meter expanse of forest.

Vow:
The grieving families of the SUV disaster crew have insisted "the bold exploration of geology must go on". They issued a statement as Ford officials vowed to leave "no stone unturned" in a bid to find out how the Explorer was lost. Initial assessments point to the left-hand
side tyre pressures the driver was complaining about the moments before the tragedy. However, internal sources suggest the likely cause as being attempting to navigate a hairpin bend with one hand, whilst holding a mobile phone in the other.

Legacy:
The families of the seven geologists said their loves ones "were full of enthusiasm, pride in their country, faith in their God and willingness to accept a risk in pursuit of knowledge." They said "the legacy of Explorer must carry on for the sake of our children and your children". President Bush lead Americans in mourning the crew. �Their legacy of the scientific research conducted shall live on forever� A moving statement from the George W, and true, if all the geophysics results hadn�t been burnt in the wreck.

The dream goes on�
�The president is dedicated to the mission of science and the marvels of rock formation," White House spokesman Ali Flincher said. "He expresses grief like every American for what's happened. He is determined that it will go on ... we must, we owe it to the geologists, we owe it to their families and we owe it to those who stand in line next to take risks on behalf of science and on behalf of rock formations."

Heroes:
It was to be the first and last mission for one of the team. Jose Sanchez, a Peruvian was proud to be the first ever from his land to take part on a Colorado State University geology field trip. After the difficult and distressing task of recovering the human remains, his body is being returned to the motherland, where he will receive a state funeral and posthumous medal of honour. The token Madagascan, who was, coincidentally, the token woman, is described as a martyr and inspiration for minority groups everywhere, and is expected to be beatified by the pope later in the coming fall.
Our deceased national heroes are also expected to receive nothing less. One can only imagine the horror of such a national tragedy just one year, four months and twenty-one short days after 7/11, and how the loss of these seven heroes will affect the psyche of the nation. These heroes shall not be forgotten. They knew the risks of such a mission, and paid the ultimate price for science.