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Author
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Topic: Memorial Day at Gettysburg w/Neil Armstrong
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072069
Member Posts: 206
From: Sayreville, NJ USA
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 04-26-2005 06:03 PM
   
Anyone have any info on Neil Armstrong's appearance at the National Park on Memorial Day? I would love to get the chance to shake his hand.Bernie |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 04-26-2005 06:36 PM
I think that after a Memorial Day Parade he will be speaking at the Cemetary at 3 pm. |
John K. Rochester
Member Posts: 1292
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 04-27-2005 07:36 AM
I cant get any info from the website.. but regardless, I'll be there. |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 04-27-2005 11:37 AM
quote:
Originally posted by John K. Rochester:
I cant get any info from the website.. but regardless, I'll be there.
Same here. And it's just up the road.Hopefully Armstrong's appearance won't attract as big a crowd as the day they toppled the observation tower back in 2000. I wasn't there that day but the family went and reported traffic backed up for miles in every direction because there were so many people jockeying for position to witness that event. |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 05-02-2005 09:57 AM
Here are some more details: quote:
Former Astronaut Neil Armstrong will be the featured speaker for Memorial Day services in the Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg. Services traditonally follow the Memorial Day parade through Gettysburg, beginning at 1 PM.
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mensax
Member Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 05-27-2005 06:30 PM
Does anybody have any further details on this event?Noah |
WAWalsh
Member Posts: 809
From: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Registered: May 2000
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posted 05-27-2005 07:29 PM
I did confirm with the National Park on Wednesday that Neil Armstrong is still going to appear. Everything is A-OK at that time. I plan to be there on Monday, with spouse and four kids. |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 05-28-2005 10:55 AM
quote:
Originally posted by mensax:
Does anybody have any further details on this event?
I called the park to check on times again. Today they said that the parade begins at 2 pm an the memorial service starts at 3 pm. |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 05-30-2005 07:25 PM
Neil Armstrong gave a moving speech, choked up at the end, but managed to finish. Seated directly in front of him in the VIP section were a number of disabled and wounded OIF veterans. Also had the chance to meet a couple of fellow cSers from Maryland. It was great meeting you Garry (MarylandSpace) and Bill (SpaceHeaded). Curt |
spaceheaded
Member Posts: 147
From: MD
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 05-30-2005 08:26 PM
Curt, close enough! It was me. It was a great day... didn't even notice the rain. Got to shake Neil's hand and that completes Apollo 11 for me (handshaking-wise). And nice meeting you and Gary. Do either of you (or anyone else) know whether Armstrong writes his own speeches? Bill |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 05-30-2005 09:16 PM
quote:
Originally posted by spaceheaded:
Curt, close enough! It was me.
Thanks for the correction. I have updated the above post to reflect your true handle. quote:
Do either of you (or anyone else) know whether Armstrong writes his own speeches?
I don't know the answer, but I am wondering where one might go or write to in order to obtain a transcript of the speech. The sprinkling rain didn't dampen it one bit!Curt |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 05-30-2005 09:37 PM
Neil Armstrong: a very passionate American.Wonderful speech given quoting Lincoln and others -- even went into Lincoln's delivery as we would imagine it. Somber also being at a National Cemetery. Armstrong shook the hands of our heroic veterans and meant it. You could see the look in his eye. I called out about an hour and a half early for fellow cSers and Glint was first to answer the call. He had an excellent spot staked out. Had a nice chat but I had to get back to my spot before I would lose it. Also inspirational at the Memorial Day ceremony was James Getty's rendition of the Gettysburg Address, and a baritone singer's delivering the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Afterwards, as Neil Armstrong was leaving (during an hour-long irritating light drizzle), I got a chance to comment to Mr. Armstrong that I enjoyed "First Flights" (a series that he hosted on either A&E, History Channel, or the Discovery Channel -- do you remember it?). I am grateful that my son and his wife joined me. What an awesome experience. Garry |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 05-31-2005 05:58 AM
"Look sir... over there... Is that a man?"You darn right it is!!!" ("The Right Stuff") |
WAWalsh
Member Posts: 809
From: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Registered: May 2000
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posted 05-31-2005 07:20 AM
I second the comments about Neil Armstrong's speech. Very well written, well done and well delivered. As my wife observed, he definitely has a presence. The entire program was outstanding with a large tip of the hat to the gentleman who sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." The younger ones did find it a bit wet and cold, so the mayor should be held responsible for failing to coordinate the weather. I wish I had thought to try to go up and shake hands prior to the ceremonies, because Mr. Armstrong seems to have sought shelter from the rain after the program before the quartermaster of the Walsh battalion could get the troops moving.Suspect I did see another cS member later in Friendly's. The Apollo 11 design on a blue shirt suggested someone in Gettysburg for Neil Armstrong's speech. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 05-31-2005 07:28 AM
quote:
Originally posted by MarylandSpace:
Armstrong shook the hands of our heroic veterans and meant it. You could see the look in his eye.
Mr. Armstrong is definitely of the old school; patriotic, sincere, humble and downright wholesome. He will surely go down in history as one of the greatest American's ever.Nice to read everyone's post about the ceremony and Garry; yes I do remember "First Flights". It aired on Discovery Wings here in the UK for a couple of years and I remember Neil coming over as a very interesting and knowledgeable presenter. Regards from Dunfermline, Derek |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 09-28-2005 08:57 AM
After his speech the organizers contacted Neil Armstrong to request a written copy of his speech. I obtained a hard copy of what he sent, had it converted to PDF format, and posted a link on the page below.Neil Armstrong's Gettysburg speech The speech is patriotic in nature and makes no reference at all to his previous career in NASA. It's a unique piece of writing. As a bonus, I've also posted a photograph I took of the interesting wristwatch that he was wearing that day. |
spaceheaded
Member Posts: 147
From: MD
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 09-28-2005 09:41 AM
Curt, thanks for posting this! That was a memorable day, for sure. I guess being Neil Armstrong leaves little time for things like setting the date on your watch.  Bill |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 09-28-2005 10:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by spaceheaded:
Curt, thanks for posting this! That was a memorable day, for sure.
It certainly was a day to remember, despite the sprinkling rain, some of which is visible on Armstrong's jacket in the enlarged image. My only regret is that I grabbed the wrong camcorder battery that morning on my way out. Picked up the one that was discharged instead of the one that was charged. quote:
I guess being Neil Armstrong leaves little time for things like setting the date on your watch.
Weren't Neil Armstrong and James Doohan friendly prior to the latter's death? Perhaps Neil would reply that he's an engineer, not a clock winder. 
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ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 09-28-2005 10:01 AM
Judging by the age of the watch, I'd guess the date function quit working. |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 10-01-2005 10:56 AM
You too may own the same kind of watch Neil Armstrong was wearing at the Gettysburg address! The gold plated watch states "National Academy of Engineering, Founded 1964" You can buy it directly from them for only $220. |
spaceheaded
Member Posts: 147
From: MD
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 10-01-2005 11:07 AM
....and it comes with a non-working date feature just like Neil's!Seriously, it would be fun to have an 'Armstrong' watch. Bill |
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