Running out of fuel and facing the possibility of dying in space, Neil Armstrong calmly turned off the autopilot and put the Eagle down on the moon himself. Minutes later, he inspired millions by becoming the first human being to touch down on the lunar surface. The giant leap for mankind turned him into an instant star, but that’s never what Armstrong wanted to be.
As a kid, Neil worked odd jobs to pay for flying lessons. He later used the skills he learned to serve his country in the Korean War. His accomplishments earned him three medals and later, after graduating from Purdue, a job with the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics. The agency later became NASA, and of course, Armstrong was later chosen to pilot man’s first trip to the moon.
Earlier this month, Armstrong died at his home of heart-bypass surgery complications. He was eighty-two and still seemed sharp as a tack in recent interviews. According to Reuters, he’s survived by his wife Carol, two sons, a step son, a step daughter and ten grandchildren among others. He will be deeply missed both those who loved him most and the rest of the world who merely admired his incredible accomplishments.
Here’s a portion of the family’s touching statement…
"The next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."
I can think of no more fitting way to remember an honest, kind and heroic man who risked his life to prove anything is possible. We’ll miss you, Neil.
