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Carol Perkins: Neil Armstrong, a true American Memories of the astronaut's walk on the moon brought back by word one of the car radio of the death of a true American: Neil Alden Armstrong (August 5, 1930 - August 25, 2012) The next earlier Carol Perkins column: Carol Perkins: A week for Tv if you're interested in politics By Carol Perkins In July of 1969 Guy and I were living in Glasgow and awaiting the arrival of our first child. In 1969, America was awaiting an event that would become on the most viewed in the history of TV: Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon. Both were major events. Both would have an impact on our world! We, like everyone in American, were glued to our TV, waiting for Armstrong to step out of Apollo 11 and onto the lunar surface. How could this really be happening? We all wondered how America had been able to do this and what the impact this accomplishment would have on the world. It was, indeed, a giant leap for mankind and bragging rights for us against Russia. We had done it FIRST! President Kennedy promised our space program was going to be the best in the world and we believed him; however, I don't know that we could image sitting in our arm chairs and on our early American couches a few years after his promise, watching this as it unfolded. What a wonderful time to be alive When we proud Americans heard those now famous words from Neil Armstrong, "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed," we cheered! We clapped our hands and raised our fists in joy as if we had all been there with Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins, as if we were related to them and relieved they were safe. In a way, we did feel a kinship, and that kinship has continued throughout history. The doors of Apollo 11 didn't open immediately. As a matter of fact, it was several hours before Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface, but we waited breathlessly. I can't describe that moment. I can't describe the feeling of watching Armstrong and then Aldrin actually step, walk, and roam around the moon while millions of miles below, we watched. I can see them floating around and bouncing from spot to spot! Man's first walk on the moon became the thing little boys and girls dreamed of doing. For many years, if you asked what children wanted to be when they grew up, they might answer "an astronaut." The Kennedy Space centered became the place to take children in route to the beach. Parents my age and older told of the event and how we saw it take place and swelled in the telling, as if we owned part of the history. Of course, like most children, ours didn't quite feel the same emotional high in the listening as we did in the telling. Neil Armstrong's death stopped me for a few seconds because it was like losing a person I never knew but knew well. He did something that paved the way for others. I appreciate people who do things first and lead by example. After Armstrong, there have been eleven others to walk on the moon, but the final steps ended in 1972. The other night I was driving down the parkway and looming before me was the spectacular golden moon shining against the blue-black sky. It seemed so low that it could touch the ground, and the more I drove toward it, the closer it was. Soon I was thinking of Neil Armstrong, who had just died, and how remarkable his life was even after his journey into space. I tried to imagine being on a surface other than Earth, in a place where no one could come to your aid if you were in trouble, and a place where no man has gone. It was a chilling thought. Somewhere on the other side of the moon is the American flag standing all alone, as still as the lunar surface itself. Doesn't that make you want to burst out in "God Bless the USA"? Neil Armstrong was a true American. - Carol Perkins This story was posted on 2012-09-09 12:56:11
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. More articles from topic Carol Perkins:
Carol Perkins: A week for Tv if you're interested in politics Carol Perkins the movie critic: Hope Springs a must see Carol Perkins report on how Yard Sale is going Carol Perkins: Chicken supper, literally Carol Perkins: Wrinkles no more Carol Perkins: Yard Sales Carol Perkins: A Golfing Tale Carol Perkins: OOPs. Carol Perkins: Just a Little Something Carol Perkins: Why all the fuss about the lake? View even more articles in topic Carol Perkins |
 
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