Good day. I'm NASA astronaut Chris
Cassidy, commander of the International
Space Station, orbiting 260 miles above
the Earth with my NASA crewmates Doug
Hurley and Bob Behnken. We're taking a
moment out of our schedule to honor the
244th birthday of the United States
of America and we hope that you are
doing the same. Even though we are living
during unprecedented, challenging times,
the spirit and resolute will of our
country and all Americans has never been
stronger as we give thanks for the
freedom and the bounty of riches our
nation provides all of us. This American
flag was launched on the very first
space shuttle mission in 1981 and re-flown on the final space shuttle mission
nine years ago. Doug and I will bring Old
Glory home with us on our Endeavour Crew
Dragon spacecraft, so it can be flown yet
again when Americans launch on the Orion
spacecraft to place American boots on
the Moon. Our flag is not only symbolic
of our fervent love of our country, but
represents the spirit of American drive
and exploration that will lead us once
again, a new generation of explorers, to
venture back to the Moon and beyond in
the years to come. So take a moment as we
are to reflect on our history, America's
place in the world, and all that freedom
has to offer. Thank you from all of us on
the International Space Station.
 
