What were you doing?

It’s often said that everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when man first walked on the moon. I was two days away from my sixth birthday and in my first year of school but I have absolutely no recollection of the event at the time. I know that many people talk about watching the event live in their classrooms but I don’t think that happened for us.

It was the 20th of July, 1969 when Neil Armstrong became the first man to step onto the surface of the moon. On the 25th of August, 2012, Neil Armstrong passed away after complications from heart surgery.

Armstrong underwent surgery on August 7, 2012, to relieve blocked coronary arteries. He died on August 25,at a hospital in Columbus, Ohio, following complications resulting from these cardiovascular procedures. Hours later, President Barack Obama released a statement on Armstrong’s death describing him as “among the greatest of American heroes – not just of his time, but of all time”. According to a statement released by the White House, Obama added that him, along with the Apollo 11 crew, carried the aspirations of the United States’ citizens and that Armstrong had delivered “a moment of human achievement that will never be forgotten.” Armstrong’s family also released a statement that read “[he was a] reluctant American hero [and had] served his nation proudly, as a navy fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut. While we mourn the loss of a very good man, we also celebrate his remarkable life and hope that it serves as an example to young people around the world to work hard to make their dreams come true, to be willing to explore and push the limits, and to selflessly serve a cause greater than themselves.” His colleague on the Apollo 11 mission, Buzz Aldrin, commented that he was “very saddened to learn of the passing. I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning the passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew.” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said that Armstrong will be “remembered for taking humankind’s first small step on a world beyond our own.” – Wiki

Neil Armstrong’s moon walk happened over 43 years ago. Many people don’t remember what they were doing at the time because they hadn’t even stepped foot on the earth at that time. So, do you remember where you were when man first walked on the moon?



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About the author

Rodney Olsen

Rodney is a husband, father, cyclist, blogger and podcaster from Perth Western Australia.

He previously worked in radio for about 25 years but these days he spends his time at Compassion Australia, working towards releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name.

The views he expresses here are his own.

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