When I first learned of the news about the passing of the first man who walked on the moon, Neil Armstrong, it brought a tear to my eye. His “one small step” is one of those historic chapters I recall as if it was yesterday. I was a 7-year-old boy on July 20, 1969.
People who grew up in those wonder years remember where they were when they saw “Armstrong on Moon” at the center of the television screen. There has been an entire generation of people born and grown up that has never seen anyone walk on the moon during a live feed on television.
My experience was similar to other young school-age children of the era: We got to stay up very late, which was a big deal. When the lunar module landed, the room erupted into cheers, only to go silent later when Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the moon, as it was broadcast live on a black-and-white TV. I was in awe.
Just before I went to bed, I peeked out the window, looked up to the sky and thought to myself that there were people sleeping on the moon that night. To this very day, it sends a shiver down my spine. The Moon landings were one of America’s greatest triumphs, and I feel great to have seen it.
Neil Armstrong’s achievement, taking place in the final year of the tumultuous 1960s, was a welcome oasis to the entire decade. Coming on the heels of assassinations, war and social unrest, Armstrong’s bravery was a heaven-sent exception.
From what I could discern, Neil Armstrong seemed like a modest man. He could very easily have cashed in on his fame, and this surely has to be one of the reasons why he was chosen for the Apollo 11 mission.
What I am about to say next had to be tempting for someone in Armstrong’s position. When I was 17 years of age, and a high school junior at Honeoye Central School, I wrote to Mr. Armstrong, requesting an autographed photograph of him for my personal collection. In my letter, in the fall of 1979, I sincerely felt, given his gifts and talents, he should someday run for the United States Senate from his home state of Ohio. Armstrong would have been in good company: Former astronauts John Glenn and Harrison Schmitt were also U.S. Senators at the time.
When I first learned of the news about the passing of the first man who walked on the moon, Neil Armstrong, it brought a tear to my eye. His “one small step” is one of those historic chapters I recall as if it was yesterday. I was a 7-year-old boy on July 20, 1969.
People who grew up in those wonder years remember where they were when they saw “Armstrong on Moon” at the center of the television screen. There has been an entire generation of people born and grown up that has never seen anyone walk on the moon during a live feed on television.
My experience was similar to other young school-age children of the era: We got to stay up very late, which was a big deal. When the lunar module landed, the room erupted into cheers, only to go silent later when Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the moon, as it was broadcast live on a black-and-white TV. I was in awe.
Just before I went to bed, I peeked out the window, looked up to the sky and thought to myself that there were people sleeping on the moon that night. To this very day, it sends a shiver down my spine. The Moon landings were one of America’s greatest triumphs, and I feel great to have seen it.
Neil Armstrong’s achievement, taking place in the final year of the tumultuous 1960s, was a welcome oasis to the entire decade. Coming on the heels of assassinations, war and social unrest, Armstrong’s bravery was a heaven-sent exception.
From what I could discern, Neil Armstrong seemed like a modest man. He could very easily have cashed in on his fame, and this surely has to be one of the reasons why he was chosen for the Apollo 11 mission.
What I am about to say next had to be tempting for someone in Armstrong’s position. When I was 17 years of age, and a high school junior at Honeoye Central School, I wrote to Mr. Armstrong, requesting an autographed photograph of him for my personal collection. In my letter, in the fall of 1979, I sincerely felt, given his gifts and talents, he should someday run for the United States Senate from his home state of Ohio. Armstrong would have been in good company: Former astronauts John Glenn and Harrison Schmitt were also U.S. Senators at the time.
In response to my letter and request, I received a personally inscribed photo from Mr. Armstrong. Though he had to be flattered, I learned much later that he was not interested in seeking public office. Given the national political climate, then and now, he made the right choice.
The more I write, the more impressed I have become with the way he led his life afterwards … not with fanfare but with quiet dignity. Armstrong deserves a lot of respect and admiration.
May the life and legacy of Neil Armstrong endure for all time.
Steve Barnhoorn of Honeoye is a member of the Richmond Town Board.
