Neil Armstrong: space hero

Neil Armstrong, one of the greatest men to ever grace this planet with his existence, passed away on Saturday due to complications following heart surgery.

He was 82 years old.

Armstrong’s remarkable actions as the first man to step on the moon will be remembered as a tremendous moment not only in American history, but in the history of all mankind.

He will be remembered as a testament to the amazing feats humans can perform with great perseverance. 

However, as Armstrong was always apt to point out, the moon landing was not about him.

He reveled in the mystery and wonder that space had in store and was always a strong advocate for America’s space program.

This, beyond anything else that defined the man, truly made him a hero in my eyes.
Using his public image, Armstrong blasted President Barack Obama’s cuts to the NASA space program, calling Obama “poorly advised” on matters pertaining to space and space exploration.

This is the kind of thing I like to see out of public figures, and this is why Armstrong has always been a personal hero of mine.

Not only did the man walk on the moon, but he used the publicity from it to fight to try and save the American space program when it was in trouble.

And it needs saving.

Armstrong’s amazing life is proof to how much we need space programs, and I hope his death will remind people of the amazing wonder and awe that space exploration should inspire.

When we landed on the moon in 1969, we made history, but more importantly we made heroes that will live on in the collective memory of mankind forever.

Centuries from now, when human colonists reach out to the stars to find new places, they will look back to Armstrong and what he accomplished in his life.

And when they look back, they will look back on a man of courage and bravery, a man who did what was considered impossible.

 It will inspire them to do wonderful things such as I cannot even imagine.

This is the legacy left by Armstrong. 

I am honored that I could live during his lifetime.

­— kevsjack@indiana.edu