Do you remember where you were on June 16, 1969? I do and it is a day I won’t forget. Looking back, my mom knew the significance of the day that would soon unfold. My dad thought the whole idea was crazy. A major event in world history started at 8:32 that morning and we had to get up in the middle of the night so we could be there to witness it. Yes, I still have my ticket stub.

Yes, I was there early on the morning on July 16, 1969 when the Apollo 11 rocket launched into space. Admittedly my memory of it all is very hazy, but it also one of the first memories of my life.

Four days later the Eagle landed on the moon and a few hours later Neil Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the lunar surface. Of course he uttered the phrase that we all know so well “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind”

Saturday was a sad day when I learned Neil Armstrong had died. He was always a hero to me. He was the first man to set foot on the moon and I was there as he began the journey upwards. The moonrise Saturday started in early afternoon and I was outside most of the day watching it move across the sky. All I could think about was how Neil Armstrong had once set foot on it. Just thinking about this made me shake my head in amazement.

Thank you Neil for showing us that nothing is impossible!