I stood on the beach and watched Neil Armstrong fly to the moon.

[Atman]

I grew up in Cocoa Beach. I watched all the Apollo launches from the beach or my back yard. Then we watched the fuzzy b&w video of the landing a couple days later. Most of my family, most of my friends, work or worked in the space industry. This is a big day. RIP, Neil.

[gateley]

1. You kind of grew up with him in your heart. That's lovely. RIP, Neil. nt

[ewagner]

2. Yes...Atman

35 miles away I stood in my front yard and watched the ball of fire and contrail disappear into the sky...Stayed up late to watch the grainy b/w image also...had tears of joy running down my cheeks...

years later Armstrong spoke for commencement at Florida Technological University (now University of Central Florida)...he spoke to the charter graduating class that was supposed to supply the engineers, technicians, scientists and administrators for the space program....that was my class

he will always be a hero to our generation.

S

[Atman]

3. Sharing some memories on Facebook...

Many (most?) of my old school friends had parents who worked on the Apollo program. That is what Cocoa Beach was created for...literally dredged out of the lagoon as a dormitory community for the space program. By some twist of fate, I wound up there as a young child, and witnessed some amazing history. I even was on site at Cape Canaveral for the first two Space Shuttle launches. My stepfather was co-director of the Delta Missile program (the daughter of the other co-director is still one of my best friends). It was a crazy freakin' place in which to grow up!

[ewagner]

4. I believe I'm a bit older than you...

The techs and engineers that lived in my neighborhood were primarily ex-navy dudes who went to work at "the Cape" in the early days...

used to watch the horizon light up every time a Vangard Missle blew up on the ramp...(they called them "snake killers&quot ...got to know the difference in the contrails of Atlas and Minuteman vehicles through a pair of binoculars...I was in Jr High when Alan Shepard was launched and I remember that the school rang the "fire bell" to get everybody out on the lawn to watch John Glenn and they patched the radio broadcast over the PA system ....I'll never forget "God Speed John Glenn" ...brings chills down my spine to this day..

Lots of memories...I'm glad you got a close-up view. I think we were truly fortunate...

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. I graduated from FTU too

We even had Nixon come to speak during the height of his watergate troubles, put a sign across the pond on the library wall saying
'we don't believe you.

Saw 3 saturn launches and many shuttles too.
My parents retired in Titusville.

Yeah the space program is close to my heart.

[ewagner]

6. I actually graduated

in August of 70...

Missed graduating with the "Charter Class" in June by 1 credit hour under the "90 hour rule"...

wonderful to meet a fellow Alum...btw..I was on Guam when Nixon went to FTU.