Anniversary of First Lunar Landing

Posted by Paul A. Heckert Jul 19, 2008

Neil Armstrong took his small step for man and giant leap for mankind 39 years ago on July 20, 1969. A lot of fuss will be made next year on the 40th anniversary, so I thought that I would beat the rush and celebrate the 39th anniversary.

Walking on the Moon must be the greatest adventure walk anyone has ever taken. I recall as a teenager that I stayed up quite late to watch Neil Armstrong take his first step on the Moon. The day after the landing radio stations played songs like "Everyone's Gone to the Moon" and "Fly me to the Moon". People were very proud of our national achievement and enjoyed the greatest vicarious adventure in history.

Debates on the pros and cons of manned space flight usually focus on the economic or scientific impact of what we will find or learn. I think however that the most important reason for manned (or womanned) space flight is the impact on the human spirit.

We all need seemingly impossible goals and challenges. When we meet our goals, we are ecstatic and proud. Our nation and world also need goals that will unite all mankind in pride when we achieve the goal. If we return to the Moon or explore Mars in person, and it accomplishes nothing else that could not be done by robotic spaceships, the impact on the human spirit of reaching such a goal will be enough.

President Kennedy said that we choose to go to the Moon because it is hard. That is still true today. We should continue to explore the Moon and beyond because it is hard.