After news of Neil Armstrong’s death at 82 was reported yesterday, tributes have abounded for the first man to walk on the moon.
Armstrong was the commander of the Apollo 11 mission. Robert Lloyd, an LA Times television critic, recounted watching Armstrong’s famous first step, capturing both the nostalgia of childhood and the wonder of a historic moment:
“I watched Neil Armstrong take his giant small step onto the moon at my best friend Brian’s house. It was July 20 1969, and just before 8 p.m. in L.A., and the sun was still out. Thinking back, I see light filtering in through curtains, pulled shut possibly to help us better feel the history being made (remotely) before our eyes, on a big square black-and-white TV showing a black-and-white picture beamed from 238,900 miles out in space. Or perhaps they were always closed like that.”
Others have paid tribute with song: The Huffington Post reporting that jazz singer Diana Krall–performing at LA philharmonic’s Hollywood Bowl–dedicated a rendition of ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ to the late astronaut. In Cleveland, The New York Times reports that retired astronaut and former Senator John Glenn spoke about Armstrong before throwing out the first pitch at today’s Indians game.
According to POLITCO Playbook, rehearsals are underway for a tribute to honor Armstrong at the Republican convention in Tampa: “The backdrop looks like the night sky, studded with photos of Armstrong throughout his life. It was fast work: His death was first reported yesterday afternoon.”
Photo Source: ABC News