"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."40 years ago an American astronaut first said those words from the surface of the MOON!
Lots of people are talking about the Moon; at least those who still care and those who remember it. I do.
So, I guess it is almost impossible for me to ignore this day in history. July, 20 1969
I remember in the evening hours; a festive atmosphere around my house. I was in my comfy chair or whatever it was at the time, maybe the brand new bean-bag in the middle of the floor. I was still wearing those footed pj's, had a great big bowl of cereal just like grandma used to prepared and ready to watch something important on Tv. An American was getting ready to walk on the Moon!
The commotion around the tv set and many people in the living room, everyone excited about this Moon thing going on. I only remember my grandma smiling and my aunt telling me to pay attention to the screen. It seems funny but I can't remember if the images were Black and White or the tv was.
It is hard to think back to those early days of childhood and somehow put in perspective what was going on. A man; two men, two Americans were walking on the biggest, brightest thing in the sky.
Back then, it was the beginning of Science Fiction turn reality for me. My imagination flew alongside Neil and Buzz inside that capsule. I was on the Moon too.
From that moment on, everything was possible. The Moon, Mars, the Stars and beyond. Star Trek became validated and I knew that when I grew up; flying cars, buildings in the clouds and Moonbases were all going be a reality!
Well, what a disappointment.
But it wasn't because of lack of vision from people like Neil, Buzz, Lovell and the countless other souls yearning to forward civilization to the Stars. Sadly, it was due to people who had no vision, no imagination, no childhood dreams. Only greed for power and political ambitions who halted the Spirit of space exploration.
Perhaps, this anniversary may ignite the fire in some kids imagination, to bypass the naysayers and march proudly to the stars. Perhaps someday, some intrepid soul will have the bulge to plant the American flag again in some distant celestial body.
In the mean time, I'm glad to actually re live the original transmission from that July-20 of '69 and finally hear it the way it was. The History channel is putting on a show called Moonshot
it is worth the watch. I think there's quite a bit of artistic license taken, but what the hell.
Here's to you Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr. and Michael Collins... and other heroes in potentia.
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