US astronaut Neil Armstrong dies

[rostasi]

What a legacy.

[alocispepraluger102]

What a legacy.

........returning to the heavens; a name that may survive after all others of the 20th century have been forgotten.

Edited August 25, 2012 by alocispepraluger102

[Ed S]

I usually don't reply to these sort of threads, but holy smokes, this one really hit me. I was raised during the space race years and to me, Armstrong embodied everything great that our country and our planet can be when he walked on the moon.

Years later, when my son was in 2nd grade (10 years ago) his class was asked to write about who they admired most. Most of the kids picked movie stars, music stars like Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera, presidents present or past. I saw a Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in there too.

My son picked Neil Armstrong.

I don't remember ever having mentioned Armstrong as a personal hero of mine, so I was really impressed by my son's choice. So, I sent a copy of what he wrote about why he admired Armstrong along with the drawing of him walking on the moon that my son did as part of his project to a company for which Mr Armstrong was a board member. Eventually, my letter made its way to Mr Armstrong and he was nice enough to write a thoughtful note to my son - something that he has to this day. I have to say that I was touched, especially after reading that Armstrong was somewhat guarded when it came to signings and letters to Eagle scouts,etc.

Something like that tends to reinforce the admiration I already had.

Sad day.

[7/4]

I usually don't reply to these sort of threads, but holy smokes, this one really hit me. I was raised during the space race years and to me, Armstrong embodied everything great that our country and our planet can be when he walked on the moon.

Years later, when my son was in 2nd grade (10 years ago) his class was asked to write about who they admired most. Most of the kids picked movie stars, music stars like Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera, presidents present or past. I saw a Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in there too.

My son picked Neil Armstrong.

I don't remember ever having mentioned Armstrong as a personal hero of mine, so I was really impressed by my son's choice. So, I sent a copy of what he wrote about why he admired Armstrong along with the drawing of him walking on the moon that my son did as part of his project to a company for which Mr Armstrong was a board member. Eventually, my letter made its way to Mr Armstrong and he was nice enough to write a thoughtful note to my son - something that he has to this day. I have to say that I was touched, especially after reading that Armstrong was somewhat guarded when it came to signings and letters to Eagle scouts,etc.

Something like that tends to reinforce the admiration I already had.

Sad day.

But a cool story Ed.

Later Neil.

[RDK]

Yes, a great story, Ed. I have to admit, this one choked me up when I heard about it earlier today. The Moon Landings were a big part of my childhood and Armstrong and the other astronauts were my heroes.

[RDK]

Obviously there was no "moon disaster" and the crew of Apollo 11 came back home safely, but I think this thankfully undelivered speech by William Safire serves as a moving tribute to Neil Armstrong and all of our great explorers. http://watergate.info/1969/07/20/an-undelivered-nixon-speech.html

[alocispepraluger102]

Beautiful message from the family of Neil Armstrong: "For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

[Blue Train]

I was fortunate enough to meet him and Buzz Aldrin. They were both completely class acts and I was in geek heaven.

Be well, Mr. Armstrong!

Edited August 25, 2012 by Blue Train

[JSngry]

Beautiful message from the family of Neil Armstrong: "For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

This, yes.

[Blue Train]

Beautiful message from the family of Neil Armstrong: "For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

Will be later tonight.

Edited August 25, 2012 by Blue Train

[sidewinder]

Sad news. For those of us of a certain age, he was quite an icon. RIP.

[A Lark Ascending]

Sad indeed.

The excitement of that time has never really been recaptured despite lots of wonderful scientific explorations elsewhere. Had a huge impact on culture at the time - film, TV, music, books etc.

Just look through your 60s/early 70s records (if you have any).

R.I.P. Mr Armstrong.

[Mike Schwartz]

Beautiful message from the family of Neil Armstrong: "For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."

RIP

[brownie]

A true American hero!

[brownie]

A giant goof for a man...

NBC News bulletin on Neil Armstrong's death on Saturday:

[Teasing the Korean]

What music did Neil Armstrong bring with him on that historic voyage?

A cassette of the 1947 outer space theremin album "Music Out of the Moon," with theremin by Dr. Samuel Hoffman, compositions by Harry Revel, and arrangements by a young Leslie Baxter.

RIP Neil.

Edited August 27, 2012 by Teasing the Korean

[BruceH]

I usually don't reply to these sort of threads, but holy smokes, this one really hit me. I was raised during the space race years and to me, Armstrong embodied everything great that our country and our planet can be when he walked on the moon.

Years later, when my son was in 2nd grade (10 years ago) his class was asked to write about who they admired most. Most of the kids picked movie stars, music stars like Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera, presidents present or past. I saw a Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in there too.

My son picked Neil Armstrong.

I don't remember ever having mentioned Armstrong as a personal hero of mine, so I was really impressed by my son's choice. So, I sent a copy of what he wrote about why he admired Armstrong along with the drawing of him walking on the moon that my son did as part of his project to a company for which Mr Armstrong was a board member. Eventually, my letter made its way to Mr Armstrong and he was nice enough to write a thoughtful note to my son - something that he has to this day. I have to say that I was touched, especially after reading that Armstrong was somewhat guarded when it came to signings and letters to Eagle scouts,etc.

Something like that tends to reinforce the admiration I already had.

Sad day.

Thanks for the story, Ed. RIP Neil.