Throughout history mankind has looked up at the stars and curiously speculated, “What’s out there?” Neil Alden. Armstrong and the Apollo 11 mission, in some measure, began to answer that question on July 20, 1969 when he stated, “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed”(Hansen 487). A few hours later he would take his first step on the moon’s surface. This was the first time man had ever touched any surface outside the boundaries of earth. This achievement was accomplished in spite of various problems that confronted the people of the United States during the 1960s. However, as Armstrong exited the lunar module, millions of people watched with pride and cheered as America won the race to the moon, and Neil Armstrong became a hero for all time.
The world was a tense, uneasy place during Armstrong’s upbringing and on into his adult life. Before being
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Yet, only a few people knew what had taken place inside the lunar module just before Armstrong emerged. Pilot Buzz Aldrin opened two small pouches, one containing a vial of wine and the other a wafer. With the microphone turned off, Aldrin read to himself, “I am the vine, you are the branches, He who abides in me, and I in him, will bear much fruit, For apart from me, you can do nothing”(John 15:5). With those words, Aldrin took Holy Communion. Although Armstrong did not participate in this ceremony, neither did he object to Aldrin’s observance (Hansen 487). Upon return from their mission, the astronauts were greeted as heroes and elaborate parades were held in their honor (Bredeson 39). In that same year, 1969, Neil Armstrong received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (“CNN Timeline”). Nearing the end of the 1960’s decade of dissension, the achievements of this space mission transcended politics and gave Americans cumulative pride and dignity in their country (Hansen