posted 02-12-2001 06:29 AM               

I want to conduct an expirament. I have geniunly heard alot of carping about Mr. Armstrong being rude to people who ask for autographs, for a picture with him, or even just to shake his hand, at least some of which is true. He is after all not perfect, and is entittled to a bad day just like the rest of us. This is not news to me, I have heard about this through the years from different people, and places, not just here on Collect Space.

But, I want to be fair. Perhaps there is a good side to Neil Armstrong that I have not heard much of. So belly up to bar gang and let us toast our first man to walk on the Moon.

Please lets have no negative comments. I am looking for nice, kind, gracious encounters that happened in person, through the mail, on the phone, chance encounters, good stories that happened to someone else is OK as well.

I genuinly want to hear about the good times only here please. I have heard enough of the bad. I want to be able to change my mind about him. So I look forward to your reponces.
Ed

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" I collect space, in order to fill the space between my ears."
ME

posted 02-12-2001 08:21 AM               

About 20 years ago, I sent my Apollo 11 crew photo to Buzz Aldrin with a request that he sign the photo "to Bruce". Dr. Aldrin signed the photo in his hand but left off the inscription, but hey, I was still pretty darn happy just to have his autograph.

Shortly thereafter, I sent the photo to Neil Armstrong with the same request for the inscription. Not only did Mr. Armstrong sign the photo "to Bruce" but he added an additional "to Bruce" over Dr. Aldrin's name! I thought that was very nice of him.

So now I guess my signed "11" photo is somewhat unique (at least to me) and I was/am very grateful for this thoughful gesture on his part.

posted 02-12-2001 06:21 PM               

Help! I don't want to pay $1000 (however, it is worth it I suppose).

posted 02-12-2001 06:48 PM               

I believe both youth and total sincerity might have a lot going for you with Mr. Armstrong. In fact, young people seem to "bring him out" if that's possible for someone who is generally very stoic and (can be) a total tech-head when talking about space and flying to large groups. Sometimes he also appears to be very nervous and awkward when speaking in public.

At an appearance at the Naval Academy Museum with some of the other space race greats back in 1997, a 12 year old boy asked him, for what must have been the 5 millionth time, "What was it like to walk on the moon?" Mr. Armstrong acually got this kid-like expression on his face, paused for a moment and then said "You would really like it!" and then he giggled! Those in attendance were delighted at his answer.

I hope you can locate a good photo to take along with you before your (hopeful) encounter. Be sure to bring a new blue fine point Sharpie pen too! Please post your story here after Wednesday. Good luck to you!

posted 02-13-2001 02:36 PM               

Also, where is a good best to download high-quality astronaut portaits? I can't find anything good on any of the NASA sites (However, I do have a photo-quality printer).

Help! -CF

posted 02-13-2001 03:21 PM               

Good luck. I wish I were in your shoes. Can't wait to read what happened. Fingers crossed!!

posted 02-13-2001 07:18 PM               

If you still have time, click on this link: http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/iams/html/pao/searchpao.htm , type in Neil Armstrong, click on a photo, print that puppy off and head on down to the event.

Like Wayne, if I have known you needed an Armstrong photo, I would have over-nighted you one for free.

Good luck!

posted 02-14-2001 12:02 AM               

However, the man is absolutely GREAT in person. If you are ever blessed with the chance, I highly recommend.

He is a little bit awkward behind the lecturn, but a dyamnite story-teller... I really wished I had got my questions answered (relating to the X-15, as well as off-NASA topics), but such is life.

He has all ten of his fingers, he loves Tang, and knows no one by the name of "Mr. Goresky." His thoughts, going down the ladder of Apollo 11 for the first time were "Please don't let me foul this up," and he thinks we must continue our space agenda all the way to Mars and beyond!

I'd like to send him a letter thanking him. Does anyone have current point-of-contact address for him? I would have truly loved to have a minute of his time.

Thanks for all the advice... I'll try again with John Glenn here in a few weeks.

posted 02-14-2001 12:44 AM               

PS; For some reason when I posted this message, the post from cfreeze79 was not part of the thread. And now I see it in ahead of me. Sorry I didn't see it because it did get us back on track. Sorry also that you didn't get your autograph, but even so you still seemed to have a good expiriance.
Hmmm... maybe Mr Armstrong is not so bad after all. I am at least on the fence now. Lets keep the posts comming, who knows I may yet become a fan.
Ed ------------------
" I collect space, in order to fill the space between my ears."
ME

posted 02-14-2001 07:06 PM               

PS; Since when is looking for good reports on an individual considered as taking pot shots?

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" I collect space, in order to fill the space between my ears."
ME