You know what’s crazy? I’ll tell you what’s crazy.™
Men landing on the moon.
July 20th 1969
“One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.”
It’s one of those days that people say “i remember where i was…”
It was historic. Man landing on the moon. The unthinkable dream was suddenly happening right before our eyes.
A 1000 years ago, primordial man through rocks at this glowing obelisk in the sky. Now Neil Armstrong was stepping off the LEM onto lunar soil.
Makes Columbus’ trek to the edge of the ocean seem like a walk in the park.
Do you remember where you were?
Well I remember where I was. I was a kid. I remember being in New York city, on my mom and dad’s monstrously large bed. I was in our apartment high above the city. The TV was a big box in the corner. Maybe it was color, Maybe it was black and white.
The imagery that fills my mind is scratchy and grainy. There are dark shadows and shots of a never before seen moonscape.
I remember the excitement as the adults huddled around watching history. Maybe I didn’t understand it all at the time, but I knew that something important was happening.
I found space fascinating. I thank my dad for that. He started me young, bringing me to Stanley Kubrik’s 2001 A Space Odyssey.
The monolith, the monkeys, Hal the computer. I think it set the tone for my love of space.
So on this afternoon on the 13th floor of our NYC apartment, I remember Neil Armstrong stepping into history.
“one small step for man one giant leap for man kind”
Neil Armstrong was a quiet man, but he was a steely eyed missile man to be sure.
He spent 2 hours and 21 minutes kicking lunar dreams, raising the American Flag and taking pictures of Buzz Aldrin, the 2nd guy to ever dance on the moon.
Where were you? It’s one of those moments like Pearl Harbor and September 11th.
I remember watching it on tv. Do you?
President Kennedy challenged Americans to land on the moon before the end of the decade.
Mission Accomplished.
Before he landed, Armstrong’s parents told news reporters “i hope he says something that unites the world.”
He united the world all right.
It was the most watched tv program in history. One of every six people on the planet reportedly watched it.
Armstrong passed away over the weekend at the age of 84.
God Speed Mr. Armstrong.
One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.
And that is crazy.™