The Issue: The passing of legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong and the future of US space exploration.
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Last Saturday marked a sad passing in our human history, as one of our bravest, Neil Armstrong, left us for the ultimate voyage beyond our small blue home (“One Man’s Giant Leap,” Editorial, Aug. 27).
Armstrong was not just an American hero, but a representative for all of us living and breathing on this beautiful rock. He risked his life for the benefit of all, and never basked in the limelight of his undertakings.
Armstrong needed no shoulders to stand on — he, in his own right, was a giant amongst men.
Let us live like Armstrong lived. Lower the flags and salute. Make the planet vibrate in his honor. Be creative, for the world has lost a magnificent son.
Lee Holmes
Boston, MA
Armstrong’s work has shown us what is possible through the power of exploration and science.
Times are tight, but we must continue to make the kind of investments in science that inspired another generation to reach for the moon, and made countless advances for those who were never going to set foot on the moon.
We were the leaders in the world on that critical issue, and we can continue to be with strategic investments. As the recent robotic landing on Mars showed us, Americans still haven’t given up dreaming about the stars.Steven Clayton
Ocean, NJ
Armstrong’s death does not mark the end of an era in America’s insatiable thirst for space exploration. Rather, it unveils the stage of a new era in space exploration with rabid “curiosity.”
From the moon to Mars and beyond, history will forever remember Armstrong for having made the down-payment that would make subsequent achievements in America’s space exploration possible.
His legendary footprint on the moon and the iconographic declaration frozen in the history of mankind will inspire many generations to come: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Ukachi Uwadinobi
Bronx
We have lost a true hero in Armstrong. He represented what is right, decent and good in a human being, with the added qualities of courage and modesty.
What do we have today? Snooki, Big Ang, “The Situation,” Jennifer Aniston and her love life, Charlie Sheen and his drugs and prostitutes, and scores and scores of other overhyped nobodies who make headlines every single day and are adored by millions of morons who have the combined IQ level of a doorknob.
God save us all.
George Thomopoulos
Uniondale
Every time I look up at a full moon, I will remember Armstrong.
I only wonder what his thoughts were when he glanced at it sitting in his own back yard.
He was a true American hero for all time whose achievement was only exceeded by his humility. Phil Serpico
Queens