"One Giant Leap..."

Neil Armstrong 1930-2012

Most of my generation remembers learning about Neil Armstrong while sitting in a science classroom.  But for the majority of Americans they still remember the day we, the United States, put a man on the moon.  It's our parents generation that recalls watching Kennedy declare that our nation would have a man on the moon by the end of the decade (i.e. 1960s).

It's moments like these, historical moments, that not only change lives but define a generation.  So it is with a heartfelt sincerity that our nation says good bye to one of our most prominent figures.  Neil Armstrong passed away at the age of 82.

According to reports Armstrong was, "A man who kept away from cameras, Armstrong went public in 2010 with his concerns about President Barack Obama's space policy that shifted attention away from a return to the moon and emphasized private companies developing spaceships.  He testified before Congress and in an email to The Associated Press, Armstrong said he had "substantial reservations," and along with more than two dozen Apollo-era veterans, he signed a letter calling the plan a "misguided proposal that forces NASA out of the human space operations for the foreseeable future."

Besides his love of the Apollo program and NASA, Armstrong will be best known for the one phrase that reached out and touched millions of Americans in July of 1969.  "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."  My condolences to Mr. Armstrong's family and friends.  May you know that he is watching you, even now, from his place among the stars.  For more about Neil Armstrong please go to the following website: http://news.yahoo.com/neil-armstrong-1st-man-moon-dies-193954975.html