OT - Honoring Top Performers in Any Discipline - Neil Armstrong - First Man on the Moon - RIP

RIP Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon

Photo: NASA

Neil Armstrong works at the LM in the only photo taken of him on the moon from the surface.

"Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the surface of the moon, has died at age 82."

"The family described him as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, and also as "a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job."

That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind.

When Armstrong set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969, he fulfilled the goal that had been set by President John F. Kennedy just eight years earlier. [...]

Armstrong's family said, "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.

"For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request: Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and 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."

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/25/1124158/-RIP-Neil-Armstron...

Sincere condolences to the family of Neil Armstrong. Having recruited and facilitated the hire of Fighter Pilots (including Top Gun), Test Pilots and an Astronaut -- I have the highest regard for true American Heros like NEIL ARMSTRONG.

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Permalink Reply by Valentino Martinez on August 26, 2012 at 2:55pm

NASA Photo"

On July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong made history:

"“Houston, Tranquility Base here,” Mr. Armstrong radioed to mission control. “The Eagle has landed.”

“Roger, Tranquility,” mission control replied. “We copy you on the ground. You’ve got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We’re breathing again. Thanks a lot.”

"...A few hours later, there was Mr. Armstrong bundled in a white spacesuit and helmet on the ladder of the landing craft. Planting his feet on the lunar surface, he said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” (His words would become the subject of a minor historical debate, as to whether he said “man” or an indistinct “a man.”)

Soon Colonel Aldrin joined Mr. Armstrong, bounding like kangaroos in the low lunar gravity, one sixth that of Earth’s, while the command ship pilot, Michael Collins, remained in orbit about 60 miles overhead, waiting their return. In all, 12 American astronauts walked on the moon between then and the Apollo 17 mission in 1972."

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/science/space/neil-armstrong-dies...

Neil Alden Armstrong was an American astronaut, test pilot, aerospace engineer, university professor and United States Naval Aviator. He was the first person to walk on the Moon. Wikipedia

From 1971-1974, while stationed at the Pentagon and later the Military Personnel Center (MILPERCEN) in Alexandria, VA -- and even later, from 1981-1989, while working as a Recruiter/Project Manager and Manager of Employment for Rockwell International, I had the great good fortune of meeting, recruiting and facilitating the hire of several Test Pilots, Combat Pilots (including Top Gun) and an Astronaut.

Befriending many of these professionals was a major perk for me as a recruiter and as an avid fan of highly accomplished aviators. The stories they would share, about themselves and others, in pushing the envelope of high speed flight were mesmerizing. The courage they exhibited in combat, in test flights and in space travel were riveting and heroic.

Hats off to them for the trails they blazed -- and the bar they raised so high.