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| Neil Alden Armstrong 1930-2012 |
The man who took one small step for a man and one giant leap for all of mankind tragically passed away only hours ago at the age of 82 at a hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He died of complications following heart bypass surgery he had earlier in the month. Now this was a man who in July 1969 made history and became the first man ever to set foot on the Moon, defying all the odds. Hundreds of millions of people back on Earth tuned in to watch history unfold on the lunar surface where Commander Neil Armstrong took the first steps off the lunar module and onto the surface famously declaring, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." This landmark achievement paved the way for other successful lunar expeditions as part of the Apollo program and undoubtedly galvanized a generation of aspiring astronomers and scientists. The Apollo 11 astronauts went above and beyond where no man has gone before, opening our eyes and minds and giving us a vivid and better understanding of not only our Moon but of us and our place in the solar system and ultimately the universe. By venturing beyond our little world we discovered the sheer vastness of our galaxy and how Planet Earth seems insignificant in contrast to the bigger picture of the ostensibly infinite universe. This startling and rather sobering realization has only propelled us to further explore our solar system, even beyond our Moon. The Moon Landing of July 1969 was not only just a historic event or even a technological and scientific breakthrough, it set the groundwork for how incredibly audacious and extraordinary we could be if we came together. To me that is what Neil Armstrong is an embodiment of, our intrepid, indomitable and insatiable will to: explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations and yes boldly go where no man has gone before. Thank You again Star Trek, very apt.
Neil Armstrong's family released a statement in which they requested people in memory of his life to: "Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and next time you walk outside on a clear night and the see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink." As a child, I was always fascinated with the Moon, so much so my parents' nickname for me back then was Moonboy. I would gaze up at it constantly, in awe at what it actually was or what it was doing up there looking down on us. Neil's achievements and accomplishments will never be forgotten and he will live long and prosper in our hearts and minds forever. His sheer modesty proved how in fact down to Earth he actually and literally was and was always a bit uncomfortable with his hero status. He took it completely in his stride and was a gentleman to all those who knew him best. We know him as the first man in the spacesuit bouncing about the surface of our moon in glorious black and white, now preserved for all time. His legacy will live on forever and as Neil once said: "Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand." So very true, and we owe Neil for igniting that wonder in us all to better understand our galaxy and our universe. We have really come leaps and bounds since '69 and every time we have undertaken another successful and daring space mission we owe it in part if not all to the original success of the Apollo 11 astronauts. Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins pulled it off in truly spectacular fashion. Speaking of which, it only seems fitting to put up that original and iconic footage of Neil Armstrong's first steps onto the Moon courtesy of YouTube. I'll give you a wink and a little wave on the next clear night Neil, your gone but never forgotten, Rest In Peace.
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