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Author
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Topic: Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong (1930-2012)
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Ronpur
Member Posts: 1253
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 08-26-2012 07:45 PM
   
I was out of town and off line when I heard this news. I just can't imagine that we now live in a world without Neil Armstrong. He has been my biggest hero since I was 6! I have a painting of the crew above my TV, models of him and the Eagle and action figures. I look at them with sadness because he is gone, but also profound joy in what they represent: A Giant Leap for Mankind. I hope we will make another leap soon, and take Neil's legacy deeper into the stars. |
jutrased
Member Posts: 66
From: North Smithfield, RI USA
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 08-26-2012 09:14 PM
. for all mankind |
Fra Mauro
Member Posts: 1739
From: Bethpage, N.Y.
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 08-26-2012 09:34 PM
. I hope you met Al for a round of golf on the moon. A sad day for our country, time marches on and we realize there will soon be a time when all the moonwalkers will be gone. I did wink up at the moon tonight from my town of Bethpage and there was a tear in my eye. Why? Another hero has passed, maybe because it is also out of sadness for our manned space program. Thank you Neil for what you have meant to me and our country. |
E2M Lem Man
Member Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 08-26-2012 09:47 PM
I too found myself on travel when I heard the news. I recalled as a boy reading of his X-15 missions and remember the TV announcements of Gemini 8's distress. Then, on that July night that was my grandmother's birthday, with my Revell LM in one hand imagining Neil and Buzz bringing life to that lifeless world. We have lost a gentleman hero, one of the finest of the greatest generation. Thank you, Professor Armstrong. |
PMKCC
Member Posts: 71
From: Kaufman, Texas, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 08-26-2012 10:56 PM
. |
Charlie16
Member Posts: 543
From: Italy
Registered: Dec 2010
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posted 08-27-2012 05:20 AM
In my personal memory I would like I say that Neil Armstrong was not a silent and lonely, it was just a private person who has dedicated his life to teaching the new generation that is important to their work with seriousness and serenity. Neil Armstrong did not feel super hero or a man, he always said: "I was called to do a job and I think I did well." Yes Mr. Armstrong, she did her job well as best you could do, with humility and sacrifice, without expecting anything. She was the right man to send on another celestial body, the best image of man. I will miss you. Goodspeed! |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 2091
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 08-27-2012 06:09 AM
Condolences to all space enthusiasts on this very sad news. I liked what Roger Launius said, that "Neil combined the Right Stuff with the sensitivity of a poet." |
lm5eagle
Member Posts: 429
From:
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 08-27-2012 06:20 AM
We knew this news would come someday. It generates the same intense level of sadness as that produced by losing a member of one's close family.Professor Armstrong Rest in Peace. |
Henry Heatherbank
Member Posts: 296
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 08-27-2012 07:22 AM
I woke early on Sunday morning to check my e-mails by iPhone, and saw the official NASA e-mail with the heading "Neil Armstrong ..." before the text spilled off the screen, and I immediately thought "Oh no...".I know we on this post are biased, but I ask this question: was there a more iconic figure in the 20th century? In thinking about your answer, remember that there have been many tyrants, many heads of state, many earth-bound explorers, sports people and pop culture figures of all descriptions, but there was only one First Man on the Moon. |
Gonzo
Member Posts: 598
From: Holland, MI, USA
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 08-27-2012 08:03 AM
He was indeed a true hero. He certainly inspired me. I was just 10 when he landed. My parents thought I was nuts to want to stay up and see this event. Somehow, at just 10, I knew it would be a moment long lived. May he continue to inspire all of us. To challenge us to meet and exceed our limits. You will be missed. _/\_
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lewarren
Member Posts: 269
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 08-27-2012 08:15 AM
. |
cddfspace
Member Posts: 615
From: Morris County, NJ, USA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 08-27-2012 08:18 AM
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Swiss_space
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 08-27-2012 08:24 AM
This was with a great sadness that I heard of Neil Armstrong had passed away. He was a great man, a true hero, one of the most iconic figures in humankind history.I was very fortunate to meet him in Dayton 2009. It was an evening I shall never forget. May his passing inspire the next generations of explorers. My deepest sympathies to the Armstrong's family and friends. R.I.P |
collocation
Member Posts: 387
From: McLean, VA
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 08-27-2012 08:41 AM
. I am a surprised that flags have not been ordered to be at half mast. |
1202 Alarm
Member Posts: 465
From: Switzerland & France
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 08-27-2012 09:17 AM
.
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irish guy
Member Posts: 287
From: Kerry Ireland
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 08-27-2012 09:20 AM
Although having no Irish links, Neil loved to visit us here in Ireland and played my hometown golf course many times. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 08-27-2012 10:03 AM
I had the pleasure of meeting Neil once, 4 or 5 years ago in San Diego at the Apollo 8 40th Anniversary Gala. Stepping up to shake his hand was interesting. I felt like I was stepping up onto that small hill at Little Bighorn and shaking hands with Gen Custer with the entire melee circling around jockeying to get in closer and closer. Yet, there he was in the middle of this frenzied storm of humanity, calm cool, collected and quite affable to boot. The kind of guy you want to pilot a LM to the surface of the Moon with 1201 alarms going off, running low on fuel and boulder filled craters below. I got a true sense of the measure of the man in that brief moment. Neil, you belong to ages now. I wish you peace, God bless.
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Gilbert
Member Posts: 1451
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 08-27-2012 10:31 AM
. |
sts205cdr
Member Posts: 717
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 08-27-2012 10:40 AM
. |
HistorianMom
Member Posts: 114
From: Columbia, Missouri USA
Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 08-27-2012 11:29 AM
Bill Johnson Calls on President Obama to Hold State Funeral For Neil Armstrong With all due respect to the Congressman, does he have any idea on the world who he is trying to bury here? I can't think of anyone who would have been more uncomfortable with the idea of his body lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda than Mr. Armstrong. I am all for a dignified public memorial service at some place like Kennedy or JSC later one. Let Mike Collins write his epitaph and let Alan Bean do the artwork, and let Buzz unveil it or something. But the whole state funeral thing is so not Armstrong. |
Saturn V
Member Posts: 176
From: Golden, Colorado, USA
Registered: Nov 2006
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posted 08-27-2012 11:34 AM
. |
Mercurypgm
Member Posts: 292
From: Houston, Tx
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 08-27-2012 01:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 328KF:
John Glenn threw out the first pitch for the Cleveland Indians today, made a few remarks honoring Neil, and had the crowd pause for a moment of silence.
I watched the Glenn tribute live as I subscribe to the baseball package and the only thing I would like to add is that his underhand pitch to home was a very high toss but came down right over the center of the plate belt high... A perfect strike. Also when the 7th inning stretch took place prior the singing of "God Bless America" the announcer once again asked the crowd to pay honor to Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Glenn. They kept the camera on Mr Glenn and his wife Annie during the entire song and both clapped at the end of it and then Mr. Glenn waved to the crowd... Had tears in my eyes.  Here's a picture with me (Richard Stonely) taken at a dinner in Houston about 10 years ago honoring Mr. Armstrong, which was attended by many guests (including Capt. Cernan) that included many current and former astronauts, flight controllers. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 48714
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-27-2012 01:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by collocation:
I am a surprised that flags have not been ordered to be at half mast.
As since noted here, the President has ordered that flags be flown at half-mast on Friday, the day of Armstrong's interment in Cincinnati. |
SBIV-B
Member Posts: 50
From: Dacula, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2008
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posted 08-27-2012 01:57 PM
A great American gone and another hero of my childhood. Godspeed, Neil! |
HistorianMom
Member Posts: 114
From: Columbia, Missouri USA
Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 08-27-2012 02:01 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
...the day of Armstrong's interment in Cincinnati.
A very fitting tribute. Do we know for sure that Armstrong will be buried in Cincinnati? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 48714
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-27-2012 02:22 PM
You are right, it is not clear. I've asked NASA for clarification. |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 08-27-2012 02:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Mercurypgm:
I watched the Glenn tribute live...
I spoke with John Glenn at that baseball game.He thanked me for the condolences saying Neil was a dear friend. Also he and Annie visited Neil at the Columbus hospital and saw he was on the decline. Mr. Glenn looks in good health and pitched better than many including former Presidents. |
328KF
Member Posts: 1361
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-27-2012 03:15 PM
Although I am not a regular listener nor big fan of his, I was in the car and came across Rush Limbaugh's program. He was in the middle of an extensive segment about Neil Armstrong and although he had some of the technical aspects of the Apollo missions wrong, was able to capture just what kind of quiet hero he was.He wrapped it up, but after a break came back and had even more to say. In all, I listened to about 20 minutes of his tribute, which is more than I saw on any network TV. He also chastized the "Neil Young" gaffe by NBC. I was greatly encouraged to see that President Obama signed the proclamation today. |
BA002
Member Posts: 203
From: Utrecht,NL
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 08-27-2012 03:58 PM
I did wink at the moon, but with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat, after watching the three dozen pictures of Neil Armstrong's remarkable path through life. How I wish some people would live forever as beacons of progress and accomplishment in a world that is often so mediocre. |
Rocketman!
Member Posts: 140
From: Redmond, Washington, USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 08-27-2012 04:22 PM
On Saturday, before I had learned of Neil's passing, my wife and I were hiking at the Paradise visitor's center on Mount Rainier. It was a perfect, clear, sunny, blue sky day. The Moon made its appearance during our walk, rising in the bright daylight above the Cascade peaks to the east, its first quarter face looking a bit larger than normal. I like to play a game with my wife to see how fast she can spot the Moon. I said, "I see the Moon.", and she found it almost immediately.I then explained to her how, when life gets me down, I like to look up and think of the fact that people have actually been to the Moon. In 1969, the Moon went from being an astronomical satellite of Earth to becoming a 'place' people could go to and walk around on ... not too much unlike our trip to the mountain. Thinking of the Moon in this way, and of all the great accomplishments mankind has achieved in space, gives me a much needed perspective on life. It can make the ordinary, mundane troubles of the world seem so insignificant. Recalling those great feats of thoroughly calculated engineering daring to explore the heavens in person brings back the feeling of inspiration and sense of wonder that captured my attention as a child in the 1960's. So, on this sad day in history, I think back to the amazing sight of watching, 'LIVE' on our portable black and white television, Neil and Buzz walk on the Moon. I think of how grateful I am for what you did, together with the thousands of people who worked for NASA and other organizations, and for the will of our nation's people. You inspired me, along with a generation of similar people, to pursue a career in science and engineering. More importantly, perhaps without realizing it, you gave the world the inspiration to look beyond the troubles of the day. You gave us the ability to dream of achieving goals that seem, at first, to be beyond ourselves, but ultimately become part of our common experience. Thank you, Neil. I am winking through tearful eyes. |
onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1352
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 08-27-2012 04:34 PM
Rocketman, your tribute should be required reading for schoolkids together with a bio of Armstrong. For this non-scientist, Apollo also inspired awe and respect for what humans can achieve. Armstrong was but one of many, but those who follow him will be doing in the shadow of some mighty big bootprints. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 48714
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-27-2012 05:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
I've asked NASA for clarification.
NASA has deferred the question to The White House, but has said that flags will be going on half-mast at NASA facilities immediately. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1785
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 08-27-2012 08:29 PM
I guess there are official guidelines about flying the flag at half mast. But good grief, this is Neil Armstrong. Why aren't the flags around the entire nation already at half mast? Does the president not have that authority? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 48714
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-27-2012 09:44 PM
The U.S. Flag Code (part of the U.S. Code) establishes the (non-punitive) federal laws governing flying the flag half-mast. Based on the rules it sets forth, the President could have ordered the flags half-mast today, but perhaps only for the day. Longer durations are, per the Code, reserved for members of the government. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1355
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 08-27-2012 09:44 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MCroft04:
Does the president not have that authority?
Maybe I'm misinterpreting your question, but the President has no authority to direct anyone other than government facilities/installations regarding how to fly the flag. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 48714
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-27-2012 09:45 PM
Oreo's Daily Twist tribute to Neil Armstrong: To the man who made us believe in the impossible.  |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 08-27-2012 10:35 PM
Someone mentioned wanting to see the coverage of the Neil Armstrong Hall dedication. I did not find that, but this.And here is something even quite better: Neil Armstrong and Purdue University I know I am like many of you, that it is going to take a long, long time to get through this. I can only imagine what his colleagues, close friends and family are going through. |
Rick Boos
Member Posts: 851
From: Celina, Ohio
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 08-28-2012 11:49 AM
Wink! Thank you my friend! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 48714
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-28-2012 11:54 AM
Clear Channel Outdoor release True American Hero Neil Armstrong Honored by Clear Channel OutdoorCompany Using its nearly 1000 Digital Billboards to Express Respect and Admiration for the First Man to Walk on the Moon Starting today, Clear Channel Outdoor will honor one of our nation's greatest heroes and a man who lived a humble, yet heroic life, with a memorial on every one of the company's 963 digital billboards in 37 different metropolitan areas - including Columbus and Cleveland in Mr. Armstrong's home state of Ohio.  Neil Armstrong passed away on Saturday at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio. The memorial honors him using his most famous quote when he first stepped onto the moon; "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." The memorial makes one small edit to honor Mr. Armstrong, "That's one small step for a hero, one giant leap for mankind." "Neil Armstrong was a true American hero who inspired an entire generation to strive for great things and to be the best we can be," said Rocky Sisson, Chief Revenue Officer for Clear Channel Outdoor. "We hope this small gesture to remember Neil Armstrong will help celebrate the remarkable life of this man and help inspire even more young people to reach for the stars." |
mikepf
Member Posts: 448
From: San Jose, California, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 08-28-2012 12:01 PM
It looks like the Moon will be paying it's own tribute to Neil Armstrong on Friday. It will be a Blue Moon. |
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