Preserve shuttle pieces

Orlando Sentinel: The breakup of the shuttle Columbia was a devastating national tragedy. Shock, grief and questions about the loss of the spacecraft and its seven astronauts still linger almost six months later.
But as with other tragedies, there are lives to honor, legacies to secure and lessons to learn. There is history to preserve.
With those goals in mind, it is reasonable for NASA to make recovered pieces of Columbia available to memorial planners, scientists, historians and museums.
Memorials
Officials from cities interested in building Columbia memorials and curators at the Smithsonian have been talking with NASA about acquiring some of the 84,000 shuttle pieces collected through ground searches. A Smithsonian official said the museum wants to preserve the debris, but didn't rule out displaying some in the future.
While that possibility is opposed by some astronauts' family members, others recognize the emotional and educational value of allowing the public to see what remains of Columbia.
In addition to their historical importance, pieces of the shuttle would remind Americans of the risks of space travel, and the heroism of the astronauts who knowingly take those risks.
But NASA needs to consult with astronauts' families and do everything it can to ensure any display is handled with dignity and sensitivity. Body parts, uniform scraps and belongings of the astronauts would not be appropriate for display.